Stream bed and bank erosion are thought to represent a significant contribution to sediment and nutrient loads Iowa’s streams, sometimes exacerbating downstream eutrophication and turbidity impairments. The size of these contributions are not well known in time or space, and may depend on many factors including watershed land use, stream channelization history and hydrological regime, soil composition and texture. While upland in-field and edge-of-field practices for soil loss and nutrient reduction have shown promise for reducing sediment and nutrient loads in streams, they have little or no impact on sediment and nutrients derived from within the stream corridors themselves. We are combining field and laboratory measurements with geospatial analysis and hydraulic modeling to better constrain the role of stream bank erosion in watershed sediment and nutrient budgets.
Related Publications
Williams, F.F., P.L. Moore, T.M. Isenhart, and M.D. Tomer, 2020, Automated measurement of eroding streambank volume from high-resolution aerial imagery and terrain analysis. Geomorphology, v. 367, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107313.
Beck, W.J., P.L. Moore, K.E. Schilling, C.F. Wolter, T.M. Isenhart, K.J. Cole, and M.D. Tomer, 2019, Changes in lateral floodplain connectivity accompanying stream channel evolution: Implications for sediment and nutrient budgets. Science of the Total Environment, v 660, p. 1015-1028. doi:10.1016/j.scietotenv.2019.01.038.
Beck, W.J., T. Isenhart, P.L. Moore, K. Schilling, R.C. Schultz, and M. Tomer, 2018, Streambank Alluvial Unit Contributions to Suspended Sediment and Total Phosphorus Loads, Walnut Creek, Iowa, USA, Water, v. 10(2), doi:10.3390/w10020111.
Contacts: Billy Beck, Pete Moore, Tom Isenhart, Tanner Bonham, Jade Allen
Funding Organization: Iowa Nutrient Research Center
Duration: 08/01/2016