Abstract:Our understanding of the interrelationships between streamflow, sediment transport, and channel morphology in high-gradient, low-order, mountain stream channels is very incomplete. Previous work has shown that the hydrologic, hydraulic, and morphologic characteristics of these channels are markedly different from those of sand-bed or gravel-bed channels. Conducting field research on such mountain streams is very difficult because of their remote location and the infrequent, highly unpredictable occurrence of runoff events. A research facility was developed within the Ouachita National Forest of Arkansas to address this research need and overcome these problems by utilizing an artificial stormflow generating system. The artificial stormflow generating system used a combination of pumps and release from a water impoundment constructed adjacent to the study reach to replicate stormflow characteristics. Within this system, a range of stormflow events were produced and repeated tests were conducted. The system was initially designed to create complete runoff events up to a 5-year recurrence interval. Several sampling techniques were used to measure hydraulic conditions, sediment transport processes, and channel response before, during, and after each runoff event. The facility provided the capability to explore a large variety of important research questions in fluvial geomorphology. Results obtained using this facility should be applicable to other mountainous areas because of the morphologic and process similarities which exist between the Ouachita Mountain streams and others in North America. Researchers:
Research Assistants:
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