Multiply	By	To obtain
Length
inch (in.)	2.54	centimeter (cm)
foot (ft)	0.3048	meter (m)
Area
square mile (mi²)	2.590	square kilometer (km² )
Flow rate
cubic foot per second (ft³/s)	0.02832	cubic meter per second (m³/s)

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows:

°C=(°F-32)/1.8

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1927 (NAVD 27).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Altitude, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum.

Abstract

In 2003 and 2004, a geomorphic assessment of streams in 20 watersheds in the Duluth, Minn., area was conducted to identify and summarize geomorphic characteristics, processes, disturbance mechanisms, and potential responses to disturbance. Methods used to assess the streams included watershed characterization, descriptions of segment slopes and valley types, historical aerial photograph interpretation, and rapid field assessments and intensive field surveys of stream reaches. Geomorphic conditions were summarized into a segment-scale classification with 15 categories mainly based on drainage-network position and slope, and, secondarily, based on geologic setting, valley type, and dominant geomorphic processes. Main causes of geomorphic disturbance included historical logging and agriculture, and ongoing urban development, human-caused channel alterations, road and storm sewer drainage, ditching, hiking trails, and gravel pits or quarries. Geomorphic responses to these disturbances are dependent on a combination of drainage-network position, slope, and geologic setting. Geologic setting is related to drainage-network position because the geologic deposits parallel the Lake Superior shoreline. Headwater streams in large watersheds flow over glacial deposits above altitudes of about 1,200 feet (ft). Headwater tributaries and upper main stems have ditch-like channels with gentle slopes and no valleys. Urban development and road drainage cause increased runoff and flood peaks in these segments resulting in channel widening. Below about 1,200 ft, main-stem segments generally are affected by bedrock type and structure and have steep slopes and confined or entrenched valleys. Increases in flood peaks do not cause incision or widening in the bedrock-controlled valleys; instead, the flow and scour areas are expanded. Feeder tributaries to these main stems have steep, confined valleys and may be sources for sediment from urban areas, road runoff, or storm sewer outfalls. Main-stem segments near the glacial deposits/surficial bedrock contact (1,000–1,200 ft) have the most potential for response to disturbance because they tend to have narrow valleys with sandy glacial lakeshore deposits and moderate slopes. Increases in flood peaks (from upstream increases in runoff) increase the potential for landslides and mass wasting from valley sides as well as channel widening.

Introduction

Streams in the Duluth, Minn., area (fig. 1) have been affected by a variety of historical land uses but remain highly valued for their natural resources. Streams and riparian areas contain important habitat for endangered or threatened aquatic and terrestrial species. Understanding the geomorphic conditions and processes of streams within a stream network or watershed framework is important because they relate to the overall water and aquatic resource quality of the stream and to the plant and animal communities and habitat adjacent to the stream. In 2003–2004, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the city of Duluth, studied the geomorphic characteristics and processes that affect the physical conditions of Duluth-area streams.

Figure One

Figure 1. Study area and sampling sites in the Duluth, Minn., area, 2003–2004. Airport runway location from Minnesota Department of Transportation (2001).

The Duluth Natural Areas Program (DNAP) is based on a city ordinance designed to protect and preserve the natural heritage of Duluth and the surrounding area. The program strives to protect plant and animal communities, habitat for special species, natural water features, important bird habitat areas, and landscapes. Data on stream geomorphic conditions provide a basis for evaluating the rarity and quality of natural resources nominated to DNAP for their natural water features. An assessment of geomorphic conditions within the stream channels is important for understanding the extent to which natural factors and land-use changes have affected geomorphic attributes, such as bed and channel configurations, and the likelihood that geomorphic conditions may change in the future.

A thorough stream geomorphic assessment includes a description of how channel, flood-plain, and valley landforms are spatially and temporally affected by regional and local geology, topography, climate, vegetative cover, and human modifications. Stream networks developed in homogeneous geologic deposits commonly consist of an erosion zone (where sediment and runoff are generated), a transition zone (were sediment and water are transferred through with no net gain or loss of material), and a deposition zone (where sediment from upstream erosion is dropped out of transport) (Schumm, 1977). A typical longitudinal profile of a stream illustrates how the slope of a stream typically changes from relatively steep in the erosion zone near its headwaters to gentle in the depositional zone near its mouth (Hack, 1960) (fig. 2). An understanding of sediment sources, transport, and deposition and their links to stream network position is key to understanding geomorphic responses to present and future disturbances.

Figure 2. Plan view and longitudinal profile of geomorphic zones within a stream network (modified from Schumm, 1977)

Three common spatial scales used to identify geomorphic characteristics and processes are a watershed or landscape scale, a segment scale, and a reach or channel scale (fig. 3). The segment scale is a section of stream bounded by confluences or physical or chemical discontinuities, such as major landforms, changes in slope, or point-source discharges. The reach scale is a length of stream chosen to illustrate a set of uniform channel features and represents the typical sampling unit used for field-based measurements of geomorphic characteristics. Reach-scale geomorphic conditions and processes can be used to infer conditions and processes for a given segment.

Figure 3. Spatial hierarchy of watershed, stream-segment, and stream-reach scales (modified from Fitzpatrick and others, 1998).

A hierarchical channel classification system, based on geomorphic processes, was developed for mountain streams in the Pacific Northwest to help interpret channel morphology, assess geomorphic conditions, and predict responses to natural and human-caused disturbance (Montgomery and Buffington, 1993; 1997). In the Montgomery and Buffington (1997) classification, valleys were classified into three major types based on the predominant geologic materials in the valley—colluvial, bedrock, and alluvial (confined, moderately confined, and unconfined, respectively). Colluvial deposits mainly originate from landslides and mass wasting, whereas alluvial deposits are from transport and depositional processes related to modern rivers. Channels were classified into seven types—colluvial, bedrock, cascade, step-pool, plane-bed, pool-riffle, and dune-ripple. The channel types can be related to drainage-network position, underlying geology, and slope. The Montgomery and Buffington (1993; 1997) classification is not commonly used in the Midwest because streams have relatively gentle slopes compared to mountain streams. However, tributaries along the north shore of Lake Superior drain bedrock bluff areas and have slopes that exceed 8 percent along some reaches. Bohle (2002) developed a modified version of this classification to assess geomorphic conditions for streams along the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Bohle (2002) classified stream segments into eight geomorphic map units (GMUs)—boulder/bedrock, main-stem boulder rapid, gravel-dominated pool-riffle, forced pool-riffle plane-bed, large woody debris/boulder step, tributary boulder plane-bed or rapid, beaver dam step-pool, and lacustrine/riverine wetland.

The major objectives of the present geomorphic study of Duluth-area streams are to describe geomorphic characteristics, identify major geomorphic processes and factors contributing to geomorphic characteristics, identify historical changes in channel morphology and planform (plan view of the channel pattern), and develop a segment-scale classification based on similar geomorphic characteristics, processes, and responses to disturbance. The assessment and classification will provide baseline conditions and can be used as a tool for evaluating the quality of Duluth's natural water features. Scientists, city managers, and citizens involved in the Duluth Natural Areas Program can use results from this study to help protect, preserve, and restore resources and help guide management activities. In addition to its social and conservation benefits, this study will advance the understanding of present and historical geomorphic conditions of Duluth-area streams, of other north- and south-shore tributaries to Lake Superior, and of other streams in similar hydrologic settings.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this report is to provide an assessment and classification of the geomorphic characteristics, processes, and responses to disturbances of streams in the vicinity of Duluth, Minnesota. The scope of this report includes: 1) description of the current geomorphic characteristics, 2) identification of major geomorphic processes, 3) identification of factors contributing to current geomorphic characteristics and expected future trends in characteristics, 4) interpretations of historical changes in channel morphology and planform, and 5) development of a segment-scale classification based on geomorphic processes. Geomorphic characterizations and the classification system were based on watershed-, segment-, and reach-scale measurements and observations collected in 2003 and 2004.

Any attempt to classify the myriad geomorphic characteristics and processes that can occur in urbanizing or urban streams with disturbed watersheds that have been altered by land clearing, channelization, and ditching into discrete categories will have limitations and problems. Therefore, the main goal of the classification portion of the study, for use with Duluth-area streams only, is to help show the importance of linking geomorphic characteristics and processes of a specific reach of stream in the context of its position within the landscape and geologic setting.

Description of Study Area

Streams in the Duluth area generally flow perpendicular to the shoreline of Lake Superior, from northwest to southeast (fig. 1). Altitudes of watersheds range from 1,400 ft (above NAVD 27) in the headwaters to 602 ft at Lake Superior. Most of the altitude change occurs along the middle and lower main stems as streams flow over bedrock bluffs and outcrops near the shore of Lake Superior.

The climate of the Duluth area is characterized by cold snowy winters, cool or moderately warm summers, and evenly distributed precipitation (Eichenlaub, 1979). Large variations from average weather can occur because of the proximity of Duluth to Lake Superior. Average annual precipitation is 29–30 in., with 18 in. of average annual evapotranspiration and 10–12 in. of runoff (Young and Skinner, 1974). Mean daily maximum air temperatures range from 22^o F in January to 78^oF in July (Eichenlaub, 1979).

Bedrock is near or at the land surface in the Duluth area and mainly consists of Proterozoic volcanic and igneous rocks, intrusions, and sedimentary rocks (Miller and others, 2002) (fig. 4). Nomenclature for geologic names of bedrock units follows that of the Minnesota Geological Survey. Bedrock type and faulting affects the pattern and density of the stream networks. Right-angle bends in the channel and stream confluences are indicative of underlying contacts between bedrock units or faulting. The Duluth Complex and miscellaneous other intrusive rocks form a prominent steep rocky bluff that parallels the shoreline of the St. Louis River Estuary and Lake Superior.

Figure 4. Bedrock geology of the Duluth, Minn., area (from Miller and others, 2002).

Quaternary surficial deposits in the Duluth area are generally in the upper parts of most of the watersheds but thin or absent from the middle main stems where bedrock is exposed at the land surface (fig. 5). Glacial deposits in the watersheds are from the Late Wisconsinan Lake Superior Lobe (Goebel and others, 1983). Glacial deposits in the headwaters and the upper parts of the watersheds above about 1,200 ft consist of supraglacial drift composed of sandy loamy till of the Cromwell Formation (Goebel and others, 1983; University of Minnesota–Duluth Geology Department and others, 1997; Hobbs, 2004). Later glacial readvances resulted in the deposition of silty loam till of the Lakewood Member, clay loam to silty clay loam till of the Moose Lake Member, and clay till of the informally named Knife River member, all of the Barnum Formation (Hobbs, 2004). In the Duluth area, the Lakewood Member is at altitudes from about 1,150 to 1,200 ft. The Moose Lake Member is at altitudes from about 1,100 to 1,150 ft. The Knife River member is at altitudes up to about 1,050 ft. Shoreline features from wave action and beaches are present from about 1,020 to 1,100 ft and were caused by multiple phases of a glacial lake in the southwest part of Lake Superior during glacial retreats in the Late Wisconsinan and early Holocene (Leverett, 1929; Hobbs, 2004).

Figure 5. Surficial geology and geomorphology of the Duluth, Minn., area (from University of Minnesota–Duluth Geology Department and others, 1997).

Land cover in the Duluth area consists of a mix of mainly urban land (developed/barren), forest, and shrub (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, 2002) (fig. 6). Urban land is concentrated in Duluth and along transportation corridors leading into Duluth (fig. 1). Categories of marsh, lowland shrub, and lowland forest are in wetland settings.

Figure 6. Land cover in the Duluth, Minn., area (from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, 2002).

Population density in 2000 for the area surrounding the studied streams ranged from greater than 5,000 people/mi² near the center of Duluth to less than 250 people/mi² in rural areas (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000) (fig. 7). Comparison of population density maps for 1940, 1960, 1980, and 2000 shows how urban development has spread through the watershed of Miller Creek and along the shore of Lake Superior north of Duluth over the last 20 years (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000; Van Riper, unpublished data).

Figure 7. Population density in the Duluth, Minn., area, 1940 to 2000 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000; Van Riper, unpublished data).

Methods

The methods used to assess the geomorphic characteristics of Duluth-area streams consisted of a variety of techniques that included data collection and interpretation at watershed, segment, and reach scales.

Watershed Characterization

Drainage boundaries were delineated for the 20 studied watersheds and also for subwatersheds of nine intensive survey sites to examine differences among watershed characteristics. Digital drainage boundaries from the USGS (Minnesota Water Science Center, written commun., 2003) were used and (or) updated based on visual interpretations from USGS 7.5-minute topographic maps. Drainage boundaries were overlaid with thematic maps of bedrock geology (Miller and others, 2002) (fig. 4), Quaternary deposits (University of Minnesota–Duluth Geology Department and others, 1997) (fig. 5), and land cover (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, 2002) (fig. 6) by use of a geographic information system (GIS). These overlays were used to summarize differences among the watersheds for geologic setting and land cover (mainly the amount of urbanization).

Longitudinal profiles were constructed for 15 main-stem streams. Stream lengths were measured with a map measurer between contour lines on USGS 7.5-minute topographic maps. Longitudinal profiles are used to identify changes in slope that are related to geologic features or spatial position within the stream network.

Segment Characterization

Streams were first divided into segments with similar slope and valley confinement, similar to methods described in Montgomery and Buffington (1998). Slope and valley confinement characterizations initially were based on measurements and observations from USGS 7.5-minute topographic maps. Each segment was assigned a unique identification code. Segments were categorized by slope: less than 0.3 percent, 0.3 to 1 percent, greater than 1 to 2 percent, greater than 2 to 4 percent, greater than 4 to 8 percent, or greater than 8 percent. Each segment was classified as confined (valley width less than 2 times the channel width), moderately confined (valley width between 2 and 4 times the channel width), or unconfined (valley width greater than 4 times the channel width). Valley confinement was difficult to estimate from topographic maps; these initial characterizations were confirmed during the reach field surveys and changed, if necessary. Channel-segment boundaries also were confirmed in the field and changed if necessary.

After the field assessments were done, it was determined that valleys in the Duluth area fit into four groups based on modified categories assigned to valleys for Lake Superior tributaries in the western part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Hack, 1965) (fig. 8). Headwater streams in the upstream parts of the watersheds have no valleys, are unconfined (N), and flow over glacial deposits. As drainage area increases and altitude decreases, the stream valleys are confined (C) V-shaped valleys as they cut through the steep, post-glacial shoreline areas, faults, or bedrock. Continuing downstream, the valleys become well developed but stream meanders follow the valley meanders (E). This type of valley and stream meander pattern was called "entrenched" by Hack (1965). The stream-meander pattern for this valley type tends to be irregular and determined by the intersection of the stream and valley with bedrock outcrops, post-glacial lake shorelines, or glacial meltwater valleys. In entrenched valleys, channels commonly intersect valley sides, which combined with enough flow and shear stress, can cause bluff and terrace erosion. Near the mouths, valleys tend to be wide and unconfined and stream-meander patterns are alluvial (A). The valleys are wider than the meander belt and alluvial stream meanders typically are a reflection of fluvial processes of runoff and sediment transport conditions.

Figure 8. Valley development and valley types for Duluth-area streams, Minn.

Aerial photographs from 1939–40, 1956, 1997, and 2002 were used to compare historical and current channel and riparian conditions for the stream segments. Channel width, canopy pattern, type and size of riparian vegetation on each stream bank, stability and position of gravel bars, location of eroding banks, wood loading, and channel position were noted. Riparian vegetation composition was described as deciduous (greater than 70 percent deciduous), coniferous (greater than 70 percent coniferous) or mixed. Riparian vegetation age was described as young (less than 10 years old), mature (between 10 and 40 years old), or old (greater than 40 years old). Riparian vegetation density was described as sparse (greater than 50 percent open ground) or dense (greater than 50 percent forested).

Drainage-network position was assigned to each segment based on the longitudinal profiles and 7.5-minute topographic maps. Main stems were divided into upper, middle, and lower categories, corresponding to main-stem length. Tributary categories were assigned based on the category assignment of the main stem at their confluence.

Predominant categories of bedrock type, glacial landforms/deposits, and land cover were assigned to each segment based on the thematic overlays (Miller and others, 2002; University of Minnesota–Duluth Geology Department and others, 1997; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, 2002; respectively). Bedrock types included sedimentary, gabbro rocks, felsic and mafic volcanic rocks, intrusions, and bedrock buried by glacial deposits. In addition to thematic overlay of bedrock geology from Miller and others (2002), bedrock types along segments were visually checked by use of the non-digital 1:24,000-scale maps of bedrock types and outcrops in Schwartz (1949). Glacial landform/deposits categories were supraglacial drift, outwash, ice-contact, glacial lake, post-glacial shoreline/beach, bedrock surface, till plain, and undifferentiated. Dominant land cover included urban, developing urban, agriculture, forest, wetland, grass, shrubland, and roads.

Reach Characterization

Rapid Field Assessments

Rapid assessments of geomorphic characteristics and processes (mainly observation-based) were done at 48 sites from July 2003 through May 2004 (fig. 1). These sites were on segments with a range in slope and valley type. Rapid assessments were based on qualitative and quantitative field methods described in Thorne (1998) for identifying geomorphic characteristics and processes of streams for multi-disciplinary reconnaissance studies. Thorne's (1998) field methods include observations and measurements of riparian vegetation and geology, valley and flood-plain characteristics, and channel characteristics in relation to valley conditions. Channel morphology, bar formation, substrate, and controls on incision and lateral migration were measured and described. Bank conditions and interpretations also were measured and described. Descriptions also included type of road crossing, potential fish-passage problems through culverts, and any other potential local effects to the stream channel. Culverts are common in Duluth-area streams, and if inappropriately constructed, can be obstructions to fish migration (Gibson and others, 2005). Photographs of the streams were taken during the rapid assessments. Rapid assessment data were used to compare observed characteristics to predictions of dominant geomorphic channel processes based on the geomorphic segment classification.

Intensive Field Surveys

Intensive field surveys were done at nine sites in July, August, and October 2003. These were a subset of sites where rapid field assessments were done (fig. 1). The most common slope and valley types were selected. In addition, sites were concentrated in three watersheds—Mission Creek, Miller Creek, and Lester River—to describe how geomorphic characteristics and processes changed along the longitudinal profiles and also to identify upstream to downstream linkages in geomorphic processes. Assessments included qualitative and quantitative geomorphic assessment of valley, channel, and bank conditions; channel cross-section surveys, substrate measurements, cores of overbank sediment, and measurements of large woody debris (LWD) and pool area. Channel and bank measurements were based on reach-scale descriptions. Reach lengths were based on spacing of riffles, steps, or bedrock falls and ranged from 85 to 273 ft with an average reach length of 170 ft. Channel types were identified as bedrock, colluvial, cascade, step-pool, pool-riffle, plane-bed, or wetland based on definitions from Montgomery and Buffington (1998).

Two channel cross sections were surveyed at each intensive site with an automatic level (Harrelson and others, 1994). A global positioning system was used to verify the location of each cross section. Semi-permanent benchmarks (rebar stakes) were established at each cross section. The cross sections were in riffles. Water-surface and channel slope were measured along the stream distance between the two cross sections.

Quantitative measurements of coarse substrate size in riffles were made by means of Wolman pebble counts (Wolman, 1954). One riffle was chosen (out of the two with cross-section surveys) to conduct the survey. Pebble selection techniques followed Fitzpatrick and others (1998) and the diameter of the b-axis of 100 pebbles were measured and recorded in a field book. If sand or smaller-sized particles were encountered, these particles were tallied as "sand" or "fines".

Overbank sedimentation was measured through exploratory coring with a hand-held soil probe and all cores were described for texture and color in the field by use of the U.S. Department of Agriculture textural triangle and color chart (Munsell Color, 1975; Soil Survey Staff, 1951). Field grading of texture was done by rubbing soil between the fingers (Milfred and others, 1967). Photographs were taken in each reach.

The number, length, and average diameter of woody debris were measured in each reach. Geomorphic function and source for the wood were recorded. Possible functions included pool scour, bank stability, bar stabilizer, sediment trap, or step former. Possible sources for the wood included side slope, upstream, or bank. All wood within the bankfull channel was measured that was larger than 0.1 ft in diameter and 1 ft in length. There is no minimum size standard for LWD. The relatively small minimum size of wood counted in this study (as compared to other studies) was selected to maximize options for comparing LWD in Duluth streams to LWD surveys from other sources.

The area and depth of pools were measured in each reach. Pools were identified by having relatively deep, slow-moving water, and fine-grained bed material compared to the rest of the reach. Pool function also was recorded and included free, LWD, or bedrock/boulder/bank forced.

Channel widths recorded in Government Land Office (GLO) Survey notes from the Duluth area (1857, 1858, 1868, and 1870) were compared to channel and wetted widths measured in cross-section surveys in 2003 to quantify potential channel-width changes at intensive sites. In the GLO surveys, channel widths at section line crossings were measured in links, and 1 link is equivalent to 0.66 ft. It is best to compare GLO surveyed widths at multiple-section line crossings to obtain a sense of data accuracy. For this study, it was assumed that changes greater than +3 ft were appreciable.

Classification

The segment-scale classification developed for Duluth-area streams was based in part on Montgomery and Buffington's (1998) classification. Segments were grouped into 15 categories based on drainage-network position, slope, geologic setting (including a combination of bedrock and glacial landform features), valley type, dominant geomorphic processes, and potential responses to disturbance. The classification was based on results from the rapid field assessments and intensive field surveys. Channel types, geomorphic processes, and interpretations of sensitivity to disturbance summarized from the reach data were extrapolated to other segments with similar drainage-network position, slope, geologic setting, and disturbance mechanisms. Interpretations of potential for geomorphic change due to disturbance are based on observations and evidence for historical geomorphic change as well broad assumptions about the effects of slope and parent material on geomorphic processes.

Geomorphic Characteristics

Geomorphic characteristics of Duluth-area streams and the processes responsible for them are determined by topography and slope, drainage-network position, geologic setting (watershed, segment, and reach scales), valley type, base-level controls, vegetation, and human-caused alterations and disturbance. Current (2005) geomorphic processes reflect short- and long-term responses to disturbances. The source for the disturbance may be upstream or downstream of a particular segment or reach of interest.

Watershed Characteristics

Watershed characteristics help to determine the amount and timing of runoff and sediment from uplands to channels. The 20 studied watersheds are generally small and range in size from less than 1 mi² (Lenroot Creek) to 36 mi² (Lester River) (fig. 1; table 1). All of the streams are underlain by igneous rocks except Mission Creek (fig. 4). Bedrock crops out at the land surface through much of the watersheds but is buried by glacial deposits in the upper parts of the larger watersheds (fig. 5). There is little infiltration and potential for runoff is high where bedrock crops out or is thinly covered by glacial deposits. The Duluth Gabbro complex underlies many of the streams from Stewart Creek northeast to the upper watershed of Tischer Creek. Lester River and Amity Creek are underlain by felsic and mafic volcanic units interspersed with gabbro and mafic intrusions. These bedrock units have different rates of erosion. The sedimentary rocks that underlie the Mission Creek watershed are less resistant to erosion than the volcanics, gabbro complex, or the intrusions. Thus, the Mission Creek drainage pattern is denser and more dendritic than patterns for the other watersheds.

Table 1. Land-cover characteristics for Duluth-area watersheds, Minn. (based on Minnesota Gap Analysis Program Classification Level 3; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, 2002).

[<, less than]

Watershed	Drainage area (square miles)	Developed/barren (urban) (percent)	Cropland (percent)	Grassland (percent)	Upland forest (percent)	Lowland forest (percent)	Upland shrub (percent)	Lowland shrub (percent)	Marsh (percent)	Water (percent)
Mission Creek	10.6	21	4	2	10	46	3	12	1	<1
Sargent Creek	3.1	11	1	1	31	46	1	9	<1	0
U.S. Steel Creek	2.8	34	3	3	22	16	<1	19	2	0
Morgan Park Creek	1.3	24	1	1	43	19	0	13	0	0
Stewart Creek	1.5	16	1	1	47	25	1	9	<1	0
Lenroot Creek	.4	17	<1	1	62	6	0	15	0	0
Knowlton Creek	2.2	31	3	2	24	18	5	17	<1	0
Kingsbury Creek	9.0	34	2	1	8	27	8	19	1	<1
62nd Avenue Creek	1.2	45	1	2	13	14	1	24	1	0
Keene Creek	6.0	30	1	2	11	32	6	18	<1	0
Merritt Creek	2.2	38	1	1	19	24	1	16	<1	0
Miller Creek	9.3	60	<1	1	3	21	6	8	<1	<1
Buckingham Creek	1.1	54	0	1	17	19	<1	8	<1	0
Coffee Creek	1.6	66	1	0	8	20	<1	4	0	0
Brewery and Greys Creeks	3.0	75	<1	0	6	16	<1	3	0	0
Chester Creek	6.7	33	1	1	9	36	7	12	1	<1
Tischer Creek	7.3	34	<1	3	11	44	2	5	<1	<1
34th to 50th Ave. Creeks	3.6	80	<1	<1	5	11	<1	2	<1	<1
Amity Creek	16.7	7	2	9	7	69	1	5	<1	<1
Lester River	36.0	3	2	5	7	68	2	11	<1	1

Land cover in the studied watersheds is predominantly composed of urban land (developed/barren), forest, or shrub (fig. 6, table 1). Percentages of urban land range from 3 percent in the Lester River watershed to 80 percent in the 34th to 50th Ave. Creeks watershed. Urban land is most concentrated near the mouths along the shoreline of the St. Louis River estuary and Lake Superior; however, urban land extends throughout many of the watersheds, especially those that are bisected by major transportation corridors along U.S. State Highway 53, U.S. Interstate 35, and U.S. State Highway 2 (figs. 1 and 6). Urban watersheds have higher potential for increased runoff rates and volumes and for changes in sediment inputs compared to forested watersheds. Watersheds with more than 50 percent urban land include Miller Creek, Coffee Creek, Buckingham Creek, Brewery and Greys Creeks, and 34th to 50th Ave. Creeks. Seven urban streams near downtown Duluth run underground at their mouths (table 2). Watersheds that are predominantly forest include Mission Creek, Sargent Creek, Morgan Park Creek, Stewart Creek, Lenroot Creek, Amity Creek, and Lester River (table 1). Watersheds that have had noticeable urban development from 1980 to 2000 include Mission Creek, Morgan Park Creek, Stewart Creek, Lenroot Creek, Miller Creek, and Lester River (fig. 7). Geomorphic effects from urban development are concerns for Miller Creek, Chester Creek, and Amity Creek (Camp Dresser and McKee, Inc., 2000).

Table 2. Conditions at the mouths of Duluth-area streams, Minn.

Stream	Conditions
Mission Creek	Channel open to the St. Louis River
Sargent Creek	Channel open to the St. Louis River estuary
U.S. Steel Creek	Channel open to the St. Louis River estuary
Morgan Park Creek	Channel open to the St. Louis River estuary
Stewart Creek	Channel open to the St. Louis River estuary
Lenroot Creek	Channel open to the St. Louis River estuary
Knowlton Creek	Channel open to the St. Louis River estuary
Kingsbury Creek	Channel open to the St. Louis River estuary
62nd Ave. Creek	Runs underground by Grand Ave.
Keene Creek	Channel open to the St. Louis River estuary
Merritt Creek	Channel open to the St. Louis River estuary
Miller Creek	Runs underground through downtown Duluth
Buckingham Creek	Runs underground through downtown Duluth
Coffee Creek	Runs underground through downtown Duluth
Brewery and Greys Creeks	Runs underground through downtown Duluth
Chester Creek	Runs underground in downtown Duluth
Tischer Creek	Channel open to Lake Superior
34th to 50th Ave. Creeks	Some channels open, others run underground
Amity Creek	Channel open to Lake Superior
Lester River	Channel open to Lake Superior

Duluth-area main stems have complex longitudinal profiles (fig. 9) that are very different from the typical longitudinal profile shown in figure 2 for geologically old landscapes with homogeneous geologic deposits. Irregularities in the Duluth stream profiles are attributed to differences in the erodibility of geologic materials, extent of landforms, or changes in base level (Hack, 1965). Specifically, Duluth area longitudinal profiles reflect bedrock type and distribution of fault zones, variations in the texture of glacial deposits, glacial landforms (such as moraines and outwash plains), postglacial landforms from beach ridges, shorelines or melt-water valleys, and the present level of Lake Superior. Reaches with steep slopes are prone to long-term erosional conditions, whereas reaches with gentle slopes are prone to long-term depositional conditions (Knighton, 1998). Reaches in a transition from steep to gentle slopes may change from erosional to depositional if upstream inputs of water and sediment change.

Figure Nine

Figure 9. Longitudinal profiles of streams in the A, southwestern, and B, northeastern parts of the Duluth, Minn., area.

The upper main stems tend to have gentle slopes for headwaters in glacial deposits at altitudes higher than about 1,200 ft. Irregularities in the longitudinal profiles are common from about 1,200 to 1,000 ft because of the boundary among glacial deposits, bedrock, and glacial lake shorelines. The steep slopes are on middle and lower main stems and tributaries indicate where the streams intersect bedrock (fig. 4). Streams flowing over the Duluth Complex gabbro intrusions have the steepest slopes. Below 1,100 ft, longitudinal profiles for Mission Creek and Sargent Creek are concave upward and less steep than streams to the northeast because Mission and Sargent Creek intersect the less resistant Animikie sedimentary rocks and glacial lake plain. In the northeastern part of the city, Lester River, Amity Creek, and a portion of Tischer Creek have more gentle slopes than streams in the center of the city but steeper slopes than Mission and Sargent Creeks because the streams intersect Keweenawan volcanic rocks. Only a few streams in the southwestern part of the study area have enough length on till plain or built-out land to have a gentle slope near their mouths in the St. Louis River estuary (fig. 1).

Segment Characteristics

Streams with gentle slopes (less than 0.3 percent) generally were headwater streams flowing on glacial deposits with no valley development with wetland vegetation (lowland shrub or forest); whereas streams with moderate to steep slopes flowed on bedrock and had confined or entrenched valleys (tables 3 and 4). Alluvial valleys were rare because of the small watershed sizes, bedrock control, and geologically young age of the streams (less than 10,000 years). Main-stem segments with moderate slopes typically were in the boundary zone between glacial deposits and bedrock. Tributaries to middle or lower main stems most commonly had 2–8 percent slopes in confined valleys. The combination of steep slopes and confined or entrenched valleys are indicative of a high potential for landslides along valley sides, especially if sandy glacial lake shoreline deposits are present. If valley sides are made up of unconsolidated deposits, the potential for landslides, mass wasting, and channel erosion increases if runoff and flood peaks increase (Fitzpatrick and others, 1999).

Table 3. Number of stream segments in each slope/drainage-network position category for Duluth-area streams, Minn.

[<, less than; >, greater than]

Slope category (percent)	Upper main stem	Middle main stem	Lower main stem	Upper tributary	Middle tributary	Lower tributary	Total
<0.3	4	0	0	3	0	0	7
0.3-1	10	7	8	5	4	1	35
>1-2	4	19	6	3	9	1	42
>2-4	7	6	10	6	15	10	54
>4-8	2	4	9	3	3	10	31
>8	1	7	7	1	2	1	19
Total	28	43	40	21	33	23	188

Table 4. Number of stream segments in each slope/valley type category for Duluth-area streams, Minn.

[<, less than; >, greater than]

Slope category (percent)	No valley	Confined (origin not determined)	Entrenched	Alluvial	Bedrock (confined)	Total
<0.3	7	0	0	0	0	7
0.3-1	26	1	4	4	0	35
>1-2	17	10	12	0	3	42
>2-4	1	37	10	1	5	54
>4-8	0	15	8	0	8	31
>8	0	0	9	0	10	19
Total	51	63	43	5	26	188

Characteristics for all the segments are listed in table 5, with a list of abbreviations and definitions in table 6. Drainage-network position, slope, valley type, bedrock type, glacial landform, and dominant land cover are described in table 5. The table has site identification numbers for segments with rapid assessment or intensive survey sites. Based on field reach-scale data and air photos, characteristics of channel type, dominant substrate, mode of sediment transport, flood attenuation, observed/expected causes for disturbance, presence of storm drains, and potential for geomorphic change are described for segments with field sites and extrapolated for other segments. Almost all of the segments have one or more observed or expected causes for disturbance, usually land clearing, urban development, road drainage, and inputs from upstream segments. The only exception is six tributary segments near the middle/lower main stem of Mission Creek that have complete forest cover and no roads.

Table 5. Geomorphic characteristics of stream segments for Duluth-area streams, Minn., 2003–2004.

[See table 6 for explanation of abbreviations. Stream segments are shown on figure 13. Data in italics are extrapolated from reach assessments of sites with the same segment category. Data in bold are rapid assessment or intensive survey sites. USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ID, identification number; --, no detailed measurements taken; %, percent; >, greater than; <, less than]

Table is large; scroll down and to the right to view entire table.

Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
b1	Buckingham Creek	Duluth	--	LM	>8	E	GAB	BED	U	N	b1	BE	BE	T, SIp	NO	EX	UP, HI, UR	Y	Y	LO	B	b1
b2	Buckingham Creek	Duluth Heights	8	MM	>1–2	N	GAB	BED	U	N	b2	PB	GV	SIa	FP	A	UP, CA, UR, GV, CL	N	Y	MOD	M1	b2
b3	Buckingham Creek	Duluth Heights	--	UT	>2–4	C	GAB	BED	F	Y	b3	CO	CO/BO	SOi, SOw	NO	I, W	CL, CA, RO, GV	N	Y	MOD	T2	b3
c1	Chester Creek	Duluth	9	LM	>4–8	E	VOL	BED	U	N	c1	BE	BO/BE	T, SOb	NO	EX, EBL	UP, HI, UR	Y	Y	LO	B	c1
c2	Chester Creek	Duluth	43	MM	>1–2	N	GAB	OW/BED	U/F	N	c2	PR/SP	GV	SOi, SOw, T, SIc, SIp	FP	I, EBA, W, LM, BF	UP, UR, RO, CL	Y	Y	HI	M1	c2
c3	Chester Creek	Duluth, Duluth Heights	--	UM	0.3–1	N	GAB	SD/BED	S/W	N	c3	WE	GV	SOw, SOi, T, SIa	WE	I, W, EBA, A	CL, UR, RO, CA	N	Y	MOD	W.3	c3
c4	Chester Creek	Duluth	--	MM	<0.3	N	BUR/GAB	OW	U	N	c4	AR	FINES	T, SOw	NO	EBA, LM, W, A	UR, CA, RO, CL	Y	Y	MOD	W	c4
c5	Chester Creek	Duluth, Duluth Heights	--	UM	>1–2	N	GAB	SD	S/U	N	c5	WE	GV	SOw, SOi	FP	I, W, EBA	CL, UR, RO	Y	Y	HI	U1	c5
c6	Chester Creek	Duluth, Duluth Heights	--	UM	>1–2	N	GAB	BED	U	N	c6	AR/PB	CO	SOb, SOi, SOw, T	NO	I, W, EBA, LM	UR, RO, CA, CL	Y	Y	HI	U1	c6
c7	Chester Creek	Duluth	--	LT	>2–4	C	VOL	BED	F/U	Y	c7	CO	BO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, W, EBA, EBL, EX	UR, RO, CL	Y	Y	MOD	LT	c7
k1	Keene Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	0.3–1	N	GAB	TP	U	N	k1	AR	BO	T, SIa	NO	A	UP, UR, RO, CA	N	Y	LO	A	k1
k2	Keene Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	>2–4	C	GAB	BED	U	N	k2	BED/CA	BO	SOb, SOw, T	NO	W, EBA, EBL, EX	UP, RO, UR	Y	Y	MOD	L2	k2
k2a	Keene Creek	West Duluth	42	LM	>1–2	N	GAB	TP	U	N	k2a	PB/AR	BO	T	NO	ST	UP, UR, RO, CA	Y	Y	LO	L1	k2a
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
k3	Keene Creek	West Duluth, Duluth Heights	--	MM	>4–8	E	GAB	BED	U/F	N	k3	CA/BE	BO	T, SOw, SOb	NO	W, EX, EBL, EBA	UR, RO, UP, GV, CL	Y	Y	MOD	B	k3
k4	Keene Creek	Duluth Heights	6	MM	>1–2	E	GAB	BED/SH	F/U	N	k4	PR/SP	BO/CO	T, SOw, SOi	NO	W, EBA, I, LM	UP, GV, UR, RO, CL	N	Y	HI	M1	k4
k5	Keene Creek	Duluth Heights	--	UM	0.3–1	N	GAB	SD/BED	F/U/W	N	k5	WE	SA/FINES	SOw, SOi, SIa	WE	W, EBA, I, A	UR, RO, GV	N	Y	MOD	W.3	k5
k6	Keene Creek trib	Duluth Heights	5	MT	>4–8	B	GAB	BED/SH	U/F	N	k6	CA/CO	BO	T	NO	EX	UR, RO, GV	N?	Y	MOD	BT	k6
kg1	Kingsbury Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	0.3–1	A	BUR	TP	U	N	kg1	AR	BO	T, SIa	NO	ST, A	UP, RO, CL	Y	Y	LO	A	kg1
kg2	Kingsbury Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	>4–8	C	GAB	BED/SH	U	N	kg2	BE	BE	SOw, SOi, SIc, T	NO	W, EBA, EX, BF	UR, RO, UP	Y	Y	MOD	B	kg2
kg2a	Kingsbury Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	>2–4	C	GAB	BED	F/U	N	kg2a	BED/CA	BO/BE	SOw, T	NO	W, EBA, EX, BF	UP, RO, UR	N	Y	LO	L2	kg2a
kg2b	Kingsbury Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	>4–8	C	GAB	BED	U	N	kg2b	BE	BE	SOw, T	NO	W, EBA, EX, BF	UR, RO, UP	N	Y	LO	B	kg2b
kg2c	Kingsbury Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	>8	C	GAB	BED	U	N	kg2c	BE	BE	SOb , SOw, T	NO	EX	UP, UR, RO	Y	Y	LO	B	kg2c
kg2d	Kingsbury Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	>2–4	C	GAB	BED	U	N	kg2d	BED/CA	BO	SOb , T, SOw, SIc	NO	EX, EBA, W, BF	UP, UR, RO	Y	Y	MOD	L2	kg2d
kg3	Kingsbury Creek	West Duluth	41	MM	>2–4	B	GAB	SH/SD/BED	U/F	N	kg3	SP/CA	BO	SOb, SOw, T, SIc	NO	EBL, EBA, LM, BF, W	UP, RO, UR	N	Y	HI	M2	kg3
kg4	Kingsbury Creek	West Duluth	--	MM	0.3–1	N	GAB	SD	W/U	N	kg4	AR	SA/FINES	SOb, T, SOw, SIc	WE	EBA, I, W, A	UP, CA, UR, RO, CL	N	Y	MOD	M.3	kg4
kg5	Kingsbury Creek	Duluth Heights	--	UM	<0.3	N	GAB	SD/BED	W	N	kg5	AR/WE	FINES	SOw, T, SIa	WE	EBA, LM, I, A	CA, RO, CL	N	Y	MOD	W	kg5
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
kg6	Kingsbury Creek	Duluth Heights	--	UM	0.3–1	N	GAB	SD/BED	W	N	kg6	AR/DW	SA/FINES	SOw, SIa, T	WE	A, I, W	UP, RO, CA, CL	N	Y	LO	W.3	kg6
kg7	Kingsbury Creek	Duluth Heights	--	UT	>1–2	N	GAB	SD/BED	W	Y	kg7	PR	CO	SOw, SOi	NO	I	CL, UR, RO	N	Y	MOD/HI	T1	kg7
kg8	Kingsbury Creek	Duluth Heights	--	UT	>4–8	C	GAB	SD/BED	F/U	Y	kg8	CO	BO	SOw, SOi	NO	I	UR, RO, CL	N	Y	MOD/HI	BT	kg8
kw1	Knowlton Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	0.3–1	N	GAB	TP	F/U	N	kw1	AR	SA/FINES	T, SIa, SOb	FP	A	UP, CA, RO	Y	Y	MOD	A	kw1
kw2	Knowlton Creek	West Duluth	4	MM	>4–8	E	GAB	BED	U	N	kw2	BE/CA	BO	T, SOw, SOb	NO	EX, EBL, EBA	UP, RO, UR, CA	N	Y	MOD	B	kw2
kw2a	Knowlton Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	>8	E	GAB	BED	F	N	kw2a	BE	BE	T	NO	EX	UP, RO, UR	N	Y	LO	B	kw2a
kw2b	Knowlton Creek	West Duluth	--	MM	>4–8	E	GAB	BED	U/F	N	kw2b	BE/CA	BO	T	NO	EX	UP, RO, UR	N	Y	LO	B	kw2b
kw2c	Knowlton Creek	West Duluth	--	MM	>8	E	GAB	BED/SH	S/U	N	kw2c	BE	BE	T	NO	EX	UP, RO, UR	N	Y	LO	B	kw2c
kw3	Knowlton Creek	West Duluth	--	UM	>1–2	N	GAB	SD	U	N	kw3	AR	PB	T, SOw	NO	A	CA, RO, UR	N	Y	HI	U1	kw3
l1	Lester River	Duluth, Lakewood	19, 31	LM	>2–4	E	VOL	BED	F	N	l1	BE	BE	T, SIp	NO	EX, W, BF, EBL	UP, HI	Y	Y	LO	L2	l1
l10	Amity Creek	Arnold, Duluth	--	MM	0.3–1	N	GAB	SD	A/F	N	l10	PR	GV	SOb, SIc	FP	EBA, W, LM, OS, BF	UP	N	Y	MOD/HI	M.3	l10
l11	Amity Creek	Arnold, Duluth	--	MT	>1–2	N	GAB	SD	AF	N	l11	PR	GV	SOb	FP	EBA, W, LM, OS, BF	CL	N	Y	MOD/HI	T1	l11
l12	Amity Creek	Arnold	--	MM	>1–2	N	BUR/GAB	SD	W	N	l12	PR	GV	Sob, SIb	WE	EBA, W, LM, OS	UP	N	Y	MOD	M1	l12
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
l13	Amity Creek	Arnold	--	UM	<0.3	N	BUR/GAB	SD	W	N	l13	WE	FINES	SIa	WE	A	CA	N	Y	LO	W	l13
l14	Amity Creek	Arnold	--	UM	0.3–1	N	BUR/GAB	SD	WF	N	l14	WE/PR	FINES	SIa	WE	A	UP, CA, CL	N	Y	LO	W.3	l14
l15	Amity Creek	Arnold	--	UT	>1–2	C	BUR/GAB	SD	F	N	l15	PR	GV	SOi, SOw	NO	I, EBA	CL, RO	N	Y	MOD	T1	l15
l16a	Amity Creek	Arnold	--	UM	>1–2	N	BUR/GAB	SD	F/A/W	N	l16a	PR	GV	SOi, SOw	FP/WE	I, EBA	RO, UR, CL	N	Y	HI	U1	l16a
l16b	Lester River	French River, Arnold	--	MT	>2–4	C	VOL/IN	SD	F/A	N	l16b	CA	BO	SOi, SOw, SOb	NO	I, EBA, EBL, W, LM, BF	CL, UR, RO	N	Y	HI	T2	l16b
l17	Amity Creek	Arnold	--	UT	<0.3	N	BUR/GAB	SD	W	N	l17	WE	FINES	SIa	NO	I, EBA	UP, CA	N	Y	LO	W	l17
l18	Amity Creek	Arnold	--	UT	>1–2	N	BUR/GAB	SD	F/W	Y	l18	PR	GV	SOi, SOw	WE	A	CL	N	Y	MOD	T1	l18
l19	Lester River	French River	--	MM	0.3–1	E	IN	TP	F/A	N	l19	PR	CO/GV	T, SOb, SOw, SIc	NO	EBA, EBL, W, LM, BF	UP, CL, RO	N	Y	MOD	M.3	l19
l19a	Lester River	French River	20	MM	>1–2	E	VOL/IN	BED	F/A	N	l19a	PB/SP	CO/BO	T, SOb, SOw	NO	EBA, EBL, W, LM, BF	UP, CL, RO	N	Y	MOD	M1	l19a
l2	Amity Creek	Duluth	11	LM	>2–4	E	VOL	BED	F/U	N	l2	BE	BE	T, SIp	NO	EX, W	UP, HI	Y	Y	LO	L2	l2
l20	Lester River	French River, Arnold	23	MM	0.3–1	E	BUR/IN	SH	F	N	l20	PR	GV	T, SOb, SOw	NO	W, EBA, EBL	UP	N	Y	HI	M.3	l20
l21	Lester River	French River	21	MM	>2–4	B	IN	BED/SH	F/A	N	l21	PB	GV	T, SOb	NO	W, EX, EBA	UP, CL, UR, RO	N	Y	MOD	M2	l21
l22	Lester River	Arnold	22	MM	>1–2	N	BUR/IN	SD/SH	F	N	l22	PB	GV	T, SIa	WE	A	UP, CL, UR, RO	N	Y	MOD	M1	l22
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
l23	Lester River	Arnold	--	UT	0.3–1	N	BUR/IN	SD	W	N	l23	WE	FINES	SIa, SIb	WE	A	CL, RO	N	Y	LO	W.3	l23
l24	Lester River	Arnold	--	MT	>2–4	C	BUR/IN	SD	F/A	N	l24	PB	BO	SOw, SOi	NO	I, EBA, W	UP, CL, UR	N	Y	MOD	M2	l24
l25a	Lester River	Arnold	--	MT	0.3–1	N	BUR/IN	SD	W	N	l25a	WE/PR	FINES	SOw, SIa	NO	A	CL, CA, UR	N	Y	LO	W.3	l25a
l25b	Lester River	Arnold	--	MT	>1–2	N	BUR/IN	IC	F/A	N	l25b	PB	GV	T, SOw	NO	EBA, W, LM, OS	CL, GV	N	Y	MOD	T1	l25b
l26	Lester River	Arnold	--	MT	0.3–1	N	BUR/IN	UN	F/A	N	l26	AR/PR	GV/FINES	T, SOw, SIa	WE	W, EBA	CL, RO, CA, GV	N	Y	MOD	W.3	l26
l27	Lester River	Arnold	--	MT	0.3–1	N	BUR/GAB	OW/SD	FW	N	l27	WE	FINES	SIa	WE	A	CL	N	Y	LO	W.3	l27
l28	Lester River	Arnold	30	MM	>1–2	E	IN	IC	AF	N	l28	PB	CO/BO	SOw, SOb, T	NO	W, EBA, EBL	UP, CL	N	Y	HI	M1	l28
l29	Lester River	Arnold	--	MT	>1–2	N	IN	SD	W	N	l29	WE	FINES	SIa	WE	A	CL	N	Y	LO	T1	l29
l3	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	LM	>1–2	C	IN	BED/SD/SH	F	N	l3	CA	BO	T, SIc	NO	EX, W, EBL, LM, BF	UP	N	Y	MOD/HI	L1	l3
l30	Lester River	Arnold	--	MT	0.3–1	N	IN	SD	W	N	l30	WE	FINES	SIa	WE	A	UP, CL, CA	N	Y	LO	W.3	l30
l31	Lester River	Arnold	--	MT	0.3–1	N	IN	SD	W	N	l31	WE	FINES	SIa	WE	A	CL, RO	N	Y	LO	W.3	l31
l32	Lester River	Arnold	24	UM	0.3–1	N	BUR/GAB	OW	W/F	N	l32	PR/PB	CO	SIa	WE	ST	UP, GV, CL	N	Y	MOD	W.3	l32
l33	Lester River	Arnold		UT	0.3–1	N	BUR/GAB	SD	W/F	N	l33	WE	FINES	SIa	WE	ST	RO, UR, CL	N	Y	MOD	W.3	l33
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
l34	Lester River	Arnold	25, 26, 27, 28, 29	UM	<0.3	N	BUR/GAB	SD	W/F	N	l34	WE	FINES	SOi, SIa	WE	I, W, EBA, A	RO, UR, CL	N	Y	LO	W	l34
l35	Lester River	Arnold	--	UT	<0.3	N	BUR/GAB	SD	W	N	l35	WE	FINES	SIa	WE	I, W, EBA, A	UR	N	Y	LO	W	l35
l36	Lester River	Arnold	--	UT	<0.3	N	BUR/GAB	SD	W	N	l36	WE	FINES	SOi, SIa	WE	I, W, EBA, A	UR, GV	N	Y	LO	W	l36
l37	Lester River	Duluth	--	LT	>4–8	C/E	IN	BED	F	Y	l37	CO/BE	BO/BE	T, SOw	NO	W, EX	CL, UR, RO	N	Y	MOD	BT	l37
l38	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	LT	>2–4	C	IN	SD	F/A	Y	l38	CO	CO	SOi, SOw, SOb	NO	I, EBL, EBA	CL	N	Y	HI	LT	l38
l39	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	LT	>2–4	C	IN	SD	F/U	Y	l39	CO	CO	SOi, SOw, SOb	NO	I, EBL, EBA	CL	N	Y	HI	LT	l39
l3a	Amity Creek	Duluth	12, 13, 14, 15, 16	LM	>1–2	E	VOL	BED	F	N	l3a	PB/BE	BO/BE	T, SIc	NO	EX, W	UP, HI	N	Y	LO	L1	l3a
L3b	Amity Creek	Duluth	17, 18	LM	>2–4	E	IN	BED	F	N	L3b	BE	BE	T, SIp	NO	EX, W	UP, HI	N	Y	LO	L2	L3b
l4	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	MM	>1–2	C	IN	BED/SD	F/A	N	l4	CA	BO	T, SIc, SOw, SOb	NO	EX, W	UP, HI, RO, CL	N	Y	HI/MOD	M1	l4
l40	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	LT	>4–8	C	IN	SD	F/A/U	Y	l40	CO	BO	SOi, SOw, SOc	NO	I, EBL, EBA	CL, UR, RO	N	Y	HI	BT	l40
l41	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	LT	>4–8	C	IN	SD	F/A	Y	l41	CO	BO	SOi, SOw, SOc	NO	I, EBL, EBA	CL, UR, RO	N	Y	MOD	BT	l41
l42	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	LT	>4–8	C	VOL	BED/TP	F/U	Y	l42	CO	BO	SOi, SOw, SOc	NO	I, EBL, EBA	UR, RO	Y	Y	MOD	BT	l42
l43	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	LT	>4–8	C	VOL	BED/TP	U/F	Y	l43	CO	BO	SOi, SOw, SOc	NO	I, EBL, EBA	UR, RO	Y	Y	MOD	BT	l43
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
l44	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	LT	>2–4	C	IN	SD/SH	A	Y	l44	CO	CO	SOw, SOi	NO	I, EBA, LM	CL, UR, RO	N	Y	MOD/HI	LT	l44
l45	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	LT	>2–4	C	IN	BED/SD/SH	A	Y	l45	CO	CO	SOw, SOi	NO	I, EBA, LM	CL, UR, RO	N	Y	MOD/HI	LT	l45
l46	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	LT	>4–8	C	IN	BED/SD/SH	A/F	Y	l46	CO	BO	SOw	NO	I, EBA	CL	N	Y	MOD	BT	l46
l47	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	LT	>4–8	C	IN	BED	F	N	l47	CO/CA	BO	SOw	NO	EX, W	CL	N	Y	MOD	BT	l47
l48	Lester River	Duluth	--	LT	>2–4	C	VOL	BED/TP	F/A	Y	l48	CO	BO	SOw, SOi, SOb	NO	I, EBA, LM, W	CL	N	Y	HI	LT	l48
l49	Lester River	Lakewood, Duluth	--	LT	>4–8	C	VOL	BED/SH	A/F	Y	l49	CO	BO/BE	SOw, SOi, SOb	NO	I, EBA, LM, W	CL	N	Y	MOD	BT	l49
l5	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	MM	0.3–1	E	IN	BED/SH	F/U	N	l5	PR	GV	T, SOw, SOb	FP	I, EBL, EBA	UP, GV	N	Y	HI	M.3	l5
l6	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	MM	>1–2	C	GAB	BED	F	N	l6	PB	CO/BO	T	NO	EX, EBA, W	UP	N	Y	MOD	M1	l6
l7	Amity Creek	Duluth	--	MM	>2–4	C	GAB	BED	F	N	l7	CA	BO	T	NO	EX, EBA, W	UP, CL	N	Y	MOD	M2	l7
l8	Amity Creek	Duluth, Arnold	--	UM	0.3–1	N	BUR/GAB	SD	F/A	N	l8	PR/AR	GV	SOw	NO	EBA, W, LM	CL, CA	N	Y	MOD/LO	W.3	l8
l9	Lester River	Duluth	--	MM	>1–2	E	GAB	SD/SH	F/A	N	l9	PR	GV	SOw, SOb	NO	EBA, EBL, W, LM	UP, CA	N	Y	HI/MOD	M1	l9
m1	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	44	MM	>4–8	B	GAB	BED/SH	U	N	m1	CA	BO/BE	T, SOb, SOi	NO	EBL, W, EX, BF	UP, UR, HI, RO, CL	Y	Y	MOD	B	m1
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
m1a	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	36	LM	0.3–1	E	GAB	TP	U	N	m1a	PB/AR	BO	T	NO	ST	UP	Y	Y	LO	A	m1a
m1b	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	--	LM	>8	E	GAB	BED	U	N	m1b	BE	BE	T, SOb	NO	EBL, EX	UR, UP, HI	Y	Y	LO	B	m1b
m1c	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	--	LM	>4–8	E	GAB	BED	U	N	m1c	BE/CA	BE/BO	T, SOb	NO	EBL, EX	UR, UP, HI	Y	Y	LO	B	m1c
m1d	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	7, 37	LM	>8	B	GAB	BED	U	N	m1d	BE	BE	T, SOb, SOi	NO	EBL, EX, I	UR, UP, HI	Y	Y	LO	B	m1d
m1e	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	--	LM	>2–4	E	GAB	BED	U	N	m1e	CA/SP	BO	T, SOb	NO	EBL, EX	UP, UR, HI	Y	Y	LO	L2	m1e
m2	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	35	MM	>1–2	B	GAB	SD/BED	U	N	m2	PR/SP	BO	SOw, T, SIc	NO	EBA, W, LM	UP, UR, RO, CL	Y	Y	MOD	M1	m2
m3	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	34	MM	0.3–1	N	GAB	SD/LA	F/U	N	m3	PR	BO/GV	SOw, T, SOi, SIc, SIb	NO	EBA, W, LM, I, BF, EBL	UP, UR, RO, CA, CL	Y	Y	HI	M.3	m3
m4	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	32,33	UM	0.3–1	N	BUR/GAB	SD	U/W	N	m4	WE/AR	SA/FINES	SOw, SOi, SIa	WE	EBA, W, A, I	UR, RO, CA	Y	Y	MOD	W.3	m4
m5	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	--	UT	0.3–1	N	GAB	SD	U	Y	m5	W/AR	SA/FINES	SOw, SOi, SIa	WE	EBA, W, A, I	UR, RO, CA, CL	N	Y	MOD	W.3	m5
m6	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	--	UT	0.3–1	N	GAB	SD	U	Y	m6	AR	SA/FINES	SOw, SOi, SIa	WE	EBA, W, A, I	UR, RO, CA, CL	N	Y	MOD	W.3	m6
m7	Coffee Creek	Duluth Heights	46	LT	>8	B	GAB	BED	U	N	m7	CO/BE	BE	T, SOb	NO	EX, EBL, W	UP, UR, HI	Y	Y	LO	BT	m7
m8	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	--	LT	>2–4	C	GAB	BED/SH	U	N	m8	CO	BO	SOw	NO	EX, EBA, W, LM, EBL	GV, UR, RO	N	Y	HI	LT	m8
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
m8a	Miller Creek	Duluth Heights	--	LT	>1–2	C	GAB	BED	U	N	m8a	CO	CO	SOw, T, SIp	NO	W, EBA, LM, BF	CL, UR, CA	N	Y	MOD	LT	m8a
mp1	U.S. Steel Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	0.3–1	A	BUR	TP	W/U	N	mp1	AR/WE	SA/FINES	T, SIa, SOw	WE/FP	A, EBA, W	UP, RO, UR, CA	Y	Y	MOD	A	mp1
mp2	U.S. Steel Creek	West Duluth	--	MM	>1–2	C	GAB	TP	F/U	N	mp2	PR/SP	BO/GV	T, SOw, SOb	NO	W, EBA, EBL, LM	UP, UR, RO	Y	Y	MOD	M1	mp2
mp3	U.S. Steel Creek	West Duluth, Esko	--	MM	>2–4	C	GAB	LA/SH	F/U	N	mp3	SP	BO	T, SOw, SOb	NO	EBL, EBA, LM, BF	UP, RO, GV, UR	N	Y	HI	M2	mp3
mp3a	U.S. Steel Creek	Esko	--	UM	>8	C	GAB/VOL	BED	S/F	Y	mp3a	BE	BE	SOw	NO	EX	UP, UR, RO	N	Y	LO	B	mp3a
mp4	U.S. Steel Creek	West Duluth	--	MT	>4–8	C	BUR/GAB	BED	S	N	mp4	AR	CA/BE	SOw, SOi	NO	EBA, I, W, BF	GV, CA, UR	N	Y	MOD	BT	mp4
mp5	U.S. Steel Creek	West Duluth	45	MM	>1–2	B	GAB	BED	U/F	N	mp5	PB/AR	BE/BO	T, SOw	NO	EX, EBA	UP, RO, GV, CA	N	Y	MOD	M1	mp5
mp6	U.S. Steel Creek	West Duluth	--	UT	>2–4	C	GAB	BED	F	N	mp6	CA/SP	BO	SOi, SOw	NO	EBA, I, W	UR, RO	N	Y	MOD	T2	mp6
mp7	U.S. Steel Creek	West Duluth	--	UT	>4–8	C	GAB	BED	F	N	mp7	CO/BE	BO/BE	SOi, SOw	NO	EX, EBA, I, W	RO	N	Y	MOD	BT	mp7
mp8	U.S. Steel Creek	West Duluth	--	UM	>2–4	C	GAB	BED	F	N	mp8	PB	BO	T, SOw, SOb	NO	EBA, W, I, EBL	RO, CL	N	Y	MOD	U2	mp8
mp9	U.S. Steel Creek	West Duluth	--	UT	>8	C	VOL	BED	F	N	mp9	BE	BE	SOw, SOi	NO	EX, EBA, W	CL	N	Y	LO	BT	mp9
ms1	Mission Creek	Esko	38	LM	0.3–1	A	SED	LA	G	N	ms1	PB/AR	CO	T	NO	W, EBA	UP	Y	Y	LO	A	ms1
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
ms10	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>1–2	E	SED	BED	F	Y	ms10	PB	CO/BO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, W, EBA, EBL	CL	N	Y	HI	T1	ms10
ms11	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	E	SED	LA/SH	F/R	Y	ms11	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, W, EBA, EBL	CL, RO	N	Y	HI	T2	ms11
ms11a	Mission Creek	Esko	--	UT	>2–4	C	VOL	BED/SH	R	Y	ms11a	PB/AR	BO/CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, W, EBA, EBL	RO	N	Y	HI	T2	ms11a
ms12	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	C	SED	SH	R	Y	ms12	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, W, EBA, EBL	RO	N	Y	HI	T2	ms12
ms13	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	C	SED	SH	R	Y	ms13	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, W, EBA, EBL	RO	N	Y	HI	T2	ms13
ms14	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	C	SED	SH	F	Y	ms14	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, W, EBA, EBL	CL, RO	N	Y	MOD	T2	ms14
ms15	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	C	SED	SH	R	Y	ms15	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, EBL, EBA	CL, RO	N	Y	HI	T2	ms15
ms16	Mission Creek	Esko	--	UT	>2–4	C	SED	SH	S/R	Y	ms16	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, EBL, EBA	CL, RO	N	Y	HI	T2	ms16
ms17	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	E	SED	BED/SH	F/R	Y	ms17	PB	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, EBL, EBA	CL, RO	N	Y	HI	T2	ms17
ms18	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	C	SED	SH	F/R	Y	ms18	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, EBL, EBA	CL, RO	N	Y	HI	T2	ms18
ms19	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	E	SED	BED/SH	F	Y	ms19	PB	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, EBL, EBA	UP, CL, UR	N	Y	MOD	T2	ms19
ms2	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MM	>1–2	E	SED	BED/LA	F	N	ms2	PB	GV	T	NO	EBL, EBA, W, LM, BF	UP	N	Y	MOD	M1	ms2
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
ms20	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	C	SED	BED/SH	F	Y	ms20	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, EBL, EBA, LM	UP, CL, RO, UR	N	Y	HI	T2	ms20
ms21	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	C	SED	BED/SH	F	Y	ms21	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, EBL, EBA, LM	CL, RO, UR	N	Y	HI	T2	ms21
ms22	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>4–8	C	SED	BED	F	Y	ms22	CO	BO	T, SOb, SOw	NO	EBA, EBL	NO	N	N	MOD	BT	ms22
ms23	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>1–2	C	SED	BED/SH	F	Y	ms23	CO	CO/BO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	EBA, EBL	NO	N	N	MOD	T1	ms23
ms24	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	E	SED	BED/SH	F	Y	ms24	PB	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, EBA, EBL	NO	N	N	MOD	T2	ms24
ms25	Mission Creek	Esko	--	LT	>2–4	C	SED	BED/SH	F/R	Y	ms25	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, EBA, EBL	NO	N	N	MOD/HI	LT	ms25
ms26	Mission Creek	Esko	--	LT	>2–4	C	SED	BED	F	Y	ms26	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, EBA, EBL	NO	N	N	MOD/HI	LT	ms26
ms27	Mission Creek	Esko	--	LT	>2–4	C	SED	BED	F	Y	ms27	CO	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, EBA, EBL	NO	N	N	MOD/HI	LT	ms27
ms2a	Mission Creek	Esko	--	LM	>1–2	E	SED	BED/LA	F	N	ms2a	PR/PB	GV	T, SIc, SOw	NO	W, EBA, BF	UP	N	Y	MOD	L1	ms2a
ms2b	Mission Creek	Esko	39	LM	>2–4	A	SED	BED	F	N	ms2b	PB/PR	CO/GV	T, SIc	FP	W, EBA, BF	UP	N	Y	MOD	L2	ms2b
ms3	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MM	>2–4	E	SED	BED	F	N	ms3	PB/PR	CO/GV	T, SOw, SOb	NO	EBL, EBA, EX	UP	N	Y	HI	M2	ms3
ms4	Mission Creek	Esko	1	MM	>1–2	E	SED	SH//TP	F/S	N	ms4	PR	GV	SOb, SOw, T	FP,NO	EBL, EBA, W, LM, I	UP, RO	N	Y	HI	M1	ms4
ms5	Mission Creek	Esko	40	UM	0.3–1	N	BUR/SED	TP	R/S/F	N	ms5	WE	GV	SOi	WE	I, W, EBA, A	CL, RO	N	Y	MOD	W.3	ms5
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
ms6	Mission Creek	Esko	--	UT	0.3–1	N	SED	TI	R/S/F	Y	ms6	WE	GV/FINES	SOi	WE	I, W, EBA, A	CL, RO	N	Y	MOD	W.3	ms6
ms7	Mission Creek	Esko	--	UT	0.3–1	N	SED	TI	R/S/F	Y	ms7	WE	GV/FINES	SOi	WE	I, W, EBA, A	CL, RO	N	Y	MOD	W.3	ms7
ms8	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>1–2	C	SED	SH	F/S	Y	ms8	PB	CO/BO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, W, EBL, EBA	CL, RO	N	Y	HI	T1	ms8
ms9	Mission Creek	Esko	--	MT	>1–2	E	SED	BED	F	Y	ms9	PB	CO/BO	SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	I, W, EBL, EBA	CL, RO	N	Y	HI	T1	ms9
o1	Merritt Creek	Duluth Heights	--	LM	>1–2	N	GAB	TP	U	N	o1	PB/AR	BO	T	NO	W, EBA, EBL	UP, RO, UR	Y	Y	LO	L1	o1
o2	Merritt Creek	Duluth Heights	--	LM	>4–8	C	GAB	BED	U	N	o2	CA	BO	T, SOw, SOb	NO	EX	UP, RO, UR, CL	Y	Y	LO	B	o2
o3	Merritt Creek	Duluth Heights	--	MM	>8	E	GAB	BED	S	N	o3	BE	BE	T, SOw, SOb	NO	EX	UP, RO, CL, UR	Y	Y	LO	B	o3
o4	Merritt Creek	Duluth Heights	48	MM	>8	E	GAB	BED	U	N	o4	BE	BE	T, SOw	NO	EX, W, EBA, EBL	UP, UR, RO, HI	N	Y	LO	B	o4
o5	Merritt Creek	Duluth Heights	--	UM	>2–4	E	GAB	SH/BED	U	N	o5	PB	BO	SOi, SOw	NO	I, W, EBA, EBF	UR, RO	N	Y	MOD	U2	o5
o6	Merritt Creek	Duluth Heights	47	MT	>8	E	GAB	BED	F	N	o6	BE	BE	T, SOw	NO	EX, W, EBA, EBL	UP, UR, RO, HI	N	Y	LO	BT	o6
o7	Merritt Creek	Duluth Heights	--	UT	>2–4	C	GAB	SH/BED	F/U	Y	o7	PB/SP	BO/CO	SOw, SOi, SOb	NO	W, EBA, EBF, I, A	UR, RO	Y	Y	MOD	T2	o7
s1	Stewart Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	>1–2	N	GAB	TP	W/U	N	s1	AR/PB	BO/CO	T, A	NO	EX, A, W	UP, RO, CA	Y	Y	LO	L1	s1
s2	Stewart Creek	West Duluth	3	LM	>8	B	GAB	BED/SH	F/U	N	s2	BE/CA	BE/BO	T, SOb	NO	EBL, EX	UP, RO	N	Y	LO	B	s2
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
s3	Stewart Creek	West Duluth	--	MM	>2–4	C	GAB	BED	F	N	s3	PB	CO	T, SOw, SOb	WE	EBL, EBA, EX	UP, CL	N	Y	MOD	M2	s3
s4	Stewart Creek	West Duluth	--	MT	>2–4	C	GAB	BED/TP	F	N	s4	CO	CO	SOw, SOi	WE	EX, I, W, EBA	UR, RO	N	Y	MOD	T2	s4
s5	Stewart Creek	West Duluth, Esko	--	UM	>4–8	E	GAB	BED/TP	F	N	s5	CA/AR	BO	T, SOw, SOb	WE	EX, EBA, EBF	UP, RO, CL	N	Y	MOD	B	s5
s5a	Stewart Creek	West Duluth, Esko	--	UT	>2–4	N	VOL	BED/TP	U/F	Y	s5a	PB/SP	BO	SOi, SOw, SOb	WE	I, A, W, EBA, EBL	UR, RO	N	Y	HI	T2	s5a
s6	Stewart Creek	West Duluth	2	LT	>4–8	B	GAB	BED/SH	F	N	s6	CO	BO	none	NO	ST	NO	N	N	MOD	BT	s6
sg1	Sargent Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	0.3–1	A	SED	LA	F/U	N	sg1	PR	GV	T, SOw, SIb, SIa	FP	W, I, EBA, LM, OS, A	UP, RO, GV, UR	Y	Y	HI	A	sg1
sg2	Sargeant Creek	West Duluth, Esko	--	MM	>1–2	C	SED/VOL	LA/SH	F	N	sg2	PR/SP	CO	SOi, SOb, SOw, T, SIc	NO	I, EBL, EBA, W, LM, BF	UP, RO, GV	N	Y	HI	M1	sg2
sg2a	Sargeant Creek	West Duluth, Esko	--	MM	>1–2	E	SED	LA	F/U	N	sg2a	PR	CO/GV	SOb, SOw, T	FP	EBA, EBL, W, LM, BF	UP, RO, GV	N	Y	HI	M1	sg2a
sg2b	Sargent Creek	West Duluth, Esko	--	LM	0.3–1	C	SED	LA	F/U	N	sg2b	PR	GV	SOb, SOw, T	NO	EBL, EBA, W, LM, BF	UP, RO, GV, UR	N	Y	HI	A	sg2b
sg3	Sargeant Creek	Esko	--	UM	>2–4	C	VOL	LA	F	N	sg3	PB/SP	CO	T, SOw, SIc	NO	EBA, W, LM, BF	RO, GV, UR	N	Y	MOD	U2	sg3
sg4	Sargeant Creek	Esko	--	MT	>2–4	C	VOL	LA	F/U	Y	sg4	CA/SP	CO	T, SOw	NO	EBA, W, I	RO, GV	N	Y	MOD	T2	sg4
sg5	Sargeant Creek	Esko	--	MT	>4–8	C	VOL	LA	U/F	Y	sg5	BE/CO	BO	T, SOw, SOi	NO	I, EBA, W	GV, RO, CL	N	Y	MOD	BT	sg5
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
sg6	Sargeant Creek	Esko	--	MT	>8	C	VOL	BED/SH	F	Y	sg6	BE	BE/BO	SOi	NO	I, EX	GV, CL	N	Y	LO	BT	sg6
sv1a	Lenroot St Creek, Gogebic St Creek, 84th Ave W Creek, 85th Ave W Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	>2–4	C	BUR	TP	F/U	N	sv1a	AR/PB	CO	T, SOw	NO	EBA, W	UP, RO, UR	N	Y	MOD	L2	sv1a
sv1b	Lenroot St Creek, Gogebic St Creek, 84th Ave W Creek, 85th Ave W Creek	West Duluth	--	MM	>8	C	GAB	BED	F/U	N	sv1b	BE	BE	T, SOb	NO	EX, EBL	UP, RO	N	Y	LO	B	sv1b
sv2	Lenroot St Creek, Gogebic St Creek, 84th Ave W Creek, 85th Ave W Creek	West Duluth	--	UM	>2–4	C	GAB	SH/BED	F	Y	sv2	PB	BO	SOi, SOw, SOb	NO	I, EBA, EBL	CL, RO, HI	N	Y	MOD	U2	sv2
sv3a	Lenroot St Creek, Gogebic St Creek, 84th Ave W Creek, 85th Ave W Creek	West Duluth	--	LM	>2–4	C	BUR	TP	F/U	N	sv3a	AR/PB	CO	T, SOw	NO	EBA, W	UP, RO, CL	N	Y	MOD	L2	sv3a
sv3b	Lenroot St Creek, Gogebic St Creek, 84th Ave W Creek, 85th Ave W Creek	West Duluth	--	MM	>8	C	GAB	BED	F	N	sv3b	BE	BE	T	NO	EX, EBL	UP, RO, HI	N	Y	LO	B	sv3b
sv4	Lenroot St Creek, Gogebic St Creek, 84th Ave W Creek, 85th Ave W Creek	West Duluth	--	MM	>8	C	GAB	BED/SH	F	N	sv4	BE	BE	T	NO	EX, EBL	UP, RO, HI	N	Y	LO	B	sv4
sv5	Lenroot St Creek, Gogebic St Creek, 84th Ave W Creek, 85th Ave W Creek	West Duluth	--	UM	>4–8	C	GAB	BED/SH	F	N	sv5	CA/BE	BE/BO	SOw	NO	ST	RO, CL, HI	N	Y	LO	B	sv5
t1	Tischer Creek	Duluth	--	LM	>4–8	E	IN	BED/TP	U	N	t1	BE	BE/BO	T, SOb	NO	EX, EBL	HI, UP, RO	Y	Y	LO	B	t1
t2	Tischer Creek	Duluth	--	MM	>1–2	N	IN	BED	U	N	t2	PR	GV	SOi, SOw, T	NO	W, EBA, LM	UP, UR, RO	Y	Y	HI	M1	t2
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID
t3	Tischer Creek	Duluth	--	MM	>1–2	C	GAB	BED	U	N	t3	PR	GV	SOi, SOw, SIc, T	NO	W, EBA, LM, BF	UP, UR, RO	Y	Y	HI	M1	t3
t4	Tischer Creek	Duluth	--	MM	0.3–1	N	GAB	BED	S	N	t4	AR	FINES	SIa	FP/WE	A	UP, UR, CA	Y	Y	LO	M.3	t4
t5	Tischer Creek	Duluth	--	MM	>2–4	C	GAB	BED	U	N	t5	PB	BO/CO	SOi, SOw, T, SIc	NO	W, EBA, I, LM, BF	UP, UR, CL	Y	Y	HI	M2	t5
t6	Tischer Creek	Duluth	--	UM	0.3–1	N	GAB	BED	F/S/U	N	t6	AR	GV/FINES	SOi, SOw	WE/NO	W, EBA, A, I	CA, UR, RO, CL	N	Y	MOD	W.3	t6
t7	Tischer Creek	Duluth	--	MT	>1–2	C	GAB	BED	U/F	Y	t7	PB	CO	SOi, SOw, SIc	NO	W, EBA, I, BF	CL, CA, UR	Y	Y	HI	T1	t7
t8	Tischer Creek	Duluth	--	MT	>1–2	E	VOL	BED	U/F	N	t8	AR/PR	GV/CO	SOi, SOw, T	NO	W, EBA, I	CL, A, UR, RO	Y	Y	HI	T1	t8
t9	Tischer Creek	Duluth	10	LM	>8	E	IN	BED	U	N	t9	BE	BE/BO	T, SOb	NO	EX, EBL	HI, UP	Y	Y	LO	B	t9
u1	34th Ave E Creek	Duluth	--	LM	>4–8	E	IN	BED	U	N	u1	BE	BE/BO	T, SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	EX, I, EBL	UR	Y	Y	MOD	B	u1
u2	38th Ave E Creek	Duluth	--	LM	>4–8	C	VOL	BED	U	N	u2	BE	BE/BO	T, SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	EX, I, EBL	UR	Y	Y	LO	B	u2
u3	43rd Ave E Creek	Duluth	--	LM	>4–8	C	VOL	BED	U	N	u3	BE	BE/BO	T, SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	EX, I, EBL	UR	Y	Y	LO	B	u3
u4	43rd Ave E Creek	Duluth	--	MM	>8	E	VOL	BED	U	N	u4	BE	BE/BO	T, SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	EX, I, EBL	UR	Y	Y	LO	B	u4
u5	43rd Ave E Creek	Duluth	--	UM	>2–4	C	VOL/IN	BED	U	N	u5	AR	CO	SOi, SOw	FP	W, I, EBL, A	CA, UR, CL	Y	Y	MOD	U2	u5
u6	50th Ave E Creek	Duluth	--	MT	>2–4	C	VOL	BED	U	Y	u6	CA	BO	T, SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	W, EX, I	UR	N	Y	MOD	T2	u6
u7	40th Ave E Creek	Duluth	--	UT	>4–8	C	VOL/IN	BED	U	Y	u7	CO	BE/BO	T, SOi, SOb, SOw	NO	EX, I, LM, W	UR, CL	Y	Y	MOD	BT	u7
Segment ID	Stream name	Topographic map	USGS reach ID	Drainage-network position	Slope %	Valley type	Bedrock type	Glacial landform	Dominant land cover	Inter- mittent	Segment ID	Channel type	Dominant substrate	Mode of sediment transport	Flood attenuation	Dominant geomorphic processes	Observed/expected causes for disturbance	Storm-drain outfalls	Potential geomorphic changes	Sensitivity to disturbance	Geomorphic segment category	Segment ID

Table 6. Explanation of abbreviations used in tables for segment and reach characteristics in this study of Duluth-area streams, Minn.

Drainage-network position
UM	Upper main stem
MM	Middle main stem
LM	Lower main stem
UT	Upper main-stem tributary
MT	Middle main-stem tributary
LT	lower main-stem tributary
Valley type/stream meandering
N	No valley development, stream unconfined and flows on glacial deposits
C	Confined, V-shaped valleys with no flood plain, bedrock, or colluvial
E	Unconfined valley, entrenched meanders; stream meanders follow valley course, affected by geologic setting; some flood plain
A	Unconfined valley with alluvial meanders, stream meanders reflect fluvial processes; valley wider than meander belt, wide flood plain
B	Confined valley formed in bedrock, no flood plain
Dominant bedrock type for segment
SED	Slate/sedimentary
GAB	Duluth gabbro complex
VOL	Felsic and mafic volcanics
IN	Intrusions
BUR	Bedrock buried by glacial deposits
Glacial landform/deposits
SD	Supraglacial drift
OW	Outwash
IC	Ice contact
LA	Glacial lake
SH	Post-glacial shoreline/beach
BED	Bedrock surface
TP	Till plain
UN	Undifferentiated
Dominant watershed land cover
U	Urban
D	Developing urban
A	Agriculture
F	Forest
W	Wetland
G	Grass
S	Shrubland
R	Roads
Channel type
CO	Colluvial
BE	Bedrock
CA	Cascade
SP	Step-pool
PB	Plane-bed
PR	Pool-riffle
AR	Artificial
WE	Wetland
Dominant substrate
BD	Bedrock
BO	Boulder
CO	Cobble
GV	Gravel
SA	Sand
FINES	Fines/Organic debris
AR	Artificial – concrete and others
Mode of sediment transport
SOi	Source—incision
SOb	Source—bluff erosion
SOw	Source—bank erosion, widening
T	Transfer
SIc	Sink—lateral and mid-channel sand/gravel bars
SIb	Sink—overbank sedimentation
SIa	Sink—aggradation
SIp	Sink—fines in pools
Flood attenuation
NO	None
FP	Flood-plain attenuation
WE	Wetland storage
Dominant geomorphic processes
H	Headcutting
I	Incision
EBL	Bluff/terrace erosion
EBA	Bank erosion
W	Widening
LM	Lateral migration
OS	Overbank sedimentation/levee formation
BF	Mid-channel/lateral bar formation
A	Aggradation
EX	Expansion of flow area
ST	Stable
Causes for geomorphic disturbance
CL	Logging, agriculture, clearing
UP	Upstream changes in sediment/water inputs
UR	Urban development
CA	Man-made channel alterations
RO	Road drainage
DI	Ditching
HI	Hiking trails
GV	Gravel pits
NO	None
Potential changes in sediment/water inputs
Y	Yes
N	No
Potential sensitivity to change
LO	Low—little or no change in overall channel morphology expected
MO	Moderate—minor changes in substrate size, width, pool depth
HI	High—substantial, readily detectable changes in channel morphology with a change in an important factor

Reach Characteristics and Processes

Reach characteristics for the 48 rapid assessment and intensive survey sites are summarized in table 7. The table contains a list of the dominant geomorphic processes at each site; modes of sediment erosion, transport, and deposition; geomorphic sensitivity to change; and remarks on pool and LWD source and function. The rapid assessment and intensive survey sites were in a variety of segment categories of slope, drainage-network position, and valley types (table 5). All but four sites were on main stems and all but one had perennial streamflow.

Table 7. Reach characteristics at rapid assessment and intensive survey field sites for Duluth-area streams, Minn., 2003–2004.

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mi, mile; ft, foot; LWD, large woody debris; cfs, cubic foot per second; °, degree; '. minute; ", second; mi² , square mile; %, percent; gv, gravel; co, cobble; FP, flood plain; m, medium; c, coarse; ns, not sampled; bf, bankfull; w, width; d, depth; bo, boulder; ds, downstream; us, upstream; ~, approximately; sed, sediment; <, less than; occas., occasional; ns, not surveyed; accum, accumulation; trib, tributary]

Table is large; scroll down and to the right to view entire table.

USGS field number	Stream name	Latitude	Longitude	Drainage area (mi²)	Measured reach slope (%)	Channel geomorphic setting	USGS field number	Pool notes	LWD notes	Overbank sedimentation	Estimate of streamflow (cfs)	Sensitivity to change	Additional notes	USGS field number
1	Mission Creek at Stenman Rd.	46°41'43"	92°18'42"	2.12	1.6	Slightly incised? Widening. Large gv/co load carried by stream, bars mobilized during floods, accumulations around LWD; large trees on bank falling in. Boulder zones may be related to glacial lake shoreline or road construction.	1	Pool habitat caused by three main sources.	Large trees in flood plain are source for LWD. Fallen trees starting to hang up on banks above water surface. Channel avulsion occurring, LWD may not stay in place.	FP on inside of bend has 1–1.5 ft organic rich m/c sandy loam to sand over gv/co. The surficial A horizon is about 1 ft thick. Sediment accum. is slow.	0.5	High—increases in runoff or sediment loads will affect habitat. Reach affected by Highway 35 runoff. Potential to migrate into valley sides. Potential loss of LWD function and pools. Sensitive to road runoff, gullying from road runoff, ditch construction, and landslides.	Anecdotal evidence that the reach previously had brook trout, which disappeared after Highway 35 was built. Culvert at Stenman Rd. blocks fish passage.	1
2	Stewart Creek Tributary at Skyline Rd.	46°42'07"	92°13'43"	ns	no	Bedrock controlled channel, no evidence of incision or widening.	2	ns	ns	ns	<.25	Sensitive to road runoff-related landslides, and ditching.	Boulder bottom, moss-covered rocks, minimal bank erosion, incipient channel flowing around boulders, occas. exposed roots.	2
3	Stewart Creek at Skyline Rd.	46°42'13"	92°13'41"	ns	no	Bedrock controlled channel, increases in bf w and d due to increased flow, no apparent incision or widening.	3	ns	ns	ns	2–3	Sensitive to road runoff-related landslides, ditch construction.	Air photos show landslides in the vicinity.	3
4	Knowlton Creek at South Boundary Access Rd.	46°43'30"	92°13'20"	ns	no	Bedrock controlled channel, increases in bf w and d due to increased flow, no incision or widening, human hardening of channel location.	4	Pools caused by scour at base of falls.	LWD absent, any wood would have to come from us and is likely transported through this reach.	ns	.25–.5	Sensitivity to road runoff, increases in bankfull width/depth.	S. Boundary Rd. culvert blocks fish passage and is grade control, site near transition in slope.	4
5	Keene Creek Tributary at Skyline Rd./Getchell Rd.	46°45'01"	92°11'17"	ns	no	Rocks scoured, bo/gr banks are stable, road runoff a problem from Skyline Rd.	5	Pools rare.	LWD absent.	ns	.5	Sensitivity to road runoff, increases in bankfull width/depth.	Culvert blocks fish passage, marked as ephemeral on topographic map but has base flow.	5
6	Keene Creek at Skyline Rd.	46°45'21"	92°11'21"	ns	no	ns	6	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	none	6
7	Miller Creek at Skyline Rd.	46°46'25"	92°08'35"	ns	no	ns	7	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	none	7
8	Buckingham Creek at Skyline Rd.	46°46'43"	92°07'23"	ns	no	ns	8	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	Between Twin Lakes. Quarries common. Golf course us. Upper valley runs between ridges of gabbro.	8
9	Chester Creek at Skyline Rd.	46°48'46"	92°05'30"	ns	no	ns	9	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	Narrow, confined valley in park.	9
10	Tischer Cr. at Skyline Rd./Vermillion Rd.	46°50'48"	92°03'57"	ns	no	ns	10	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	none	10
11	Amity Creek at Occidnetal Rd., Lester Park	46°50'39"	92°00'37"	ns	no	Bedrock channel, rocks scoured, evidence of increased bankfull width and depth.	11	Pools caused by scour at base of falls.	LWD rare, most transported through reach.	None, outcrop.	4	Sensitivity to road runoff, increases in bankfull width/depth, local erosion from hiking trail.	Lester Park is heavily used, erosion coincident with trails.	11
12	Amity Creek at Occidental Rd., Amity Creek Park, # 1	46°50'56"	92°00'41"	ns	no	Bedrock controlled channel.	12	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	none	12
13	Amity Creek at Occidental Rd., Amity Creek Park, # 2	46°51'14"	92°00'41"	ns	no	Bedrock controlled channel.	13	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	none	13
14	Amity Creek at Occidental Rd., Amity Creek Park, # 3	46°51'25"	92°00'48"	ns	no	ns	14	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	Local erosion, potential for landslides.	14
15	Amity Creek at Occidental Rd., Amity Creek Park, # 4	46°51'29"	92°00'47"	ns	no	ns	15	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	Local erosion, potential for landslides.	15
16	Amity Creek at Occidental Rd., Amity Creek Park, # 5	46°51'35"	92°00'51"	ns	no	Bedrock controlled channel.	16	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	none	16
USGS field number	Stream name	Latitude	Longitude	Drainage area (mi²)	Measured reach slope (%)	Channel geomorphic setting	USGS field number	Pool notes	LWD notes	Overbank sedimentation	Estimate of streamflow (cfs)	Sensitivity to change	Additional notes	USGS field number
17	Amity Creek at Occidental Rd., Amity Creek Park, # 6	46°51'39"	92°00'53"	ns	no	Bedrock controlled channel.	17	Pools caused by scour at base of falls.	ns	ns	ns	ns	none	17
18	Amity Creek at Skyline Rd.	46°51'40"	92°00'59"	ns	no	Bedrock controlled channel.	18	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	none	18
19	Lester River at Superior St.	46°50'21"	92°00'25"	ns	no	Bedrock controlled channel.	19	Pools caused by scour at base of falls.	LWD rare.	None, outcrop.	ns	Local human activity—rearranging rocks to deepen pools.	Park/trails along both sides, local erosion from trail runoff, potential landslides.	19
20	Lester River at Strand Rd.	46°53'16"	91°59'29"	ns	no	Channel appears entrenched but also has some depositional features.	20	ns	LWD occas.	ns	ns	Bank erosion, bluff erosion.	none	20
21	Lester River Tributary at Strand Rd.	46°53'16"	91°59'42"	ns	no	ns	21	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	Alder thicket.	21
22	Lester River Tributary at Beyer Rd.	46°53'41"	92°00'21"	ns	no	Ditch-like, transitional/depositional?	22	ns	ns	ns	<.25	ns	Alder thicket.	22
23	Lester River at North Tischer Rd.	46°54'27"	92°00'20"	28.51	yes	Bluffs/valley sides are currently stable, widening a problem, accum. of fines in pools, unstable banks but some toe protection from co/bo in terrace deposits (glacial meltwater related); pre-settlement tree trunks exposed along banks. Sediment accumulation around fallen trees.	23	Fine sediment accumulation.	Us source for LWD. Large log jam ds of bridge and above sampled reach—some of it hanging above channel. Source for LWD in reach from trees falling in from banks from widening. Appears that most LWD is transported ds during floods.	Abandoned channel at or slightly lower in elevation than modern channel. Abandoned channel filled with wood and 4 ft loam/fines. Buried soil at about 3 ft below surface. On FP, 1 ft sand/loam over gravel.	4–5	High—potential to migrate or widen into valley sides and increase erosion/sediment input.	Bridge is not blocking fish passage.	23
24	Lester River at Hwy 43, Lismore Rd.	46°56'18"	92°04'26"	ns	no	Stable grassy banks, base flow driven flow.	24	Pool on ds side culvert.	None apparent.	ns	3–4	ns	Culvert does not block fish passage.	24
25	Lester River at Arnold Rd., #1	46°58'40"	92°05'26"	2.94	no	Depositional, organic debris accumulation during low flow, but scour down to clay during floods.	25	Scour pool at tributary confluence.	LWD from snags on banks, some sediment trapping function.	2 ft organic muck over 1 ft peat over glacial lake clay.	0	Us changes in runoff promotes channel scour. Deposition of organic debris during low flow. No source observed for gravel.	Old culvert does not block fish passage.	25
26	Lester River at Arnold Rd. #2	46°56'54"	92°05'26"	ns	no	Depositional? Natural levees of muck.	26	Pooled at cement box culvert.	LWD from snags on banks, water-table changes related to road construction.	ns	0	Similar to site 25.	Cement box culvert does not block fish passage.	26
27	Lester River at Emerson Rd.	46°57'10"	92°05'44"	ns	no	Same as site 25 and 26.	27	Scour pool ds of road culvert.	LWD from snags on banks, water-table changes related to road construction.	Appears similar to site 25.	<0.25	Similar to site 25.	No notes on culvert condition.	27
28	Lester River at Howard Gnesen Rd., #1	46°57'45"	92°06'42"	ns	no	Lowland setting, more riparian woody vegetation than sites 25–27, organic deposits in channel bottom, evidence of minor downcutting.	28	ns	ns	ns	1.5	Similar to sites 25–27.	Culvert does not block fish passage.	28
29	Lester River at Howard Gnesen Rd., #2	46°58'36"	92°06'43"	ns	no	Similar to site 28, maybe a little less erosion.	29	ns	ns	ns	ns	Similar to site 25–28.	No notes on culvert condition.	29
30	Lester River at Hwy 37, Jean Duluth Rd.	46°55'18"	92°02'54"	19.28	yes	Occasional landslides, widening, no evidence of incision, not as unstable as site 23, undercut banks.	30	Formed by riffles, enhanced by LWD.	Mainly from bank widening, occas. carried in from us.	On FP, 1 ft sand over 0.45 ft organic-rich sand with common wood/organic debris over co/gv. Common woody debris at 1 ft below FP surface, related probably to European settlement.	4	Terrace and valley side cuts source of sediment to ds reaches, sensitive to us sources of sediment, also additional runoff from us may cause widening/meandering and more terrace/valley side cuts, no evidence of incision.	Half culvert in not blocking fish passage. No signs of erosion. Painted rocks in stream.	30
31	Lester River near Lester River Rd.	46°50'32"	92°00'21"	36.45	yes	Bedrock controlled channel, rocks scoured, increases in bankfull width/depth, fine sediment accum. in pools, channel widening with local increases in valley width (bedrock controlled).	31	Pools caused by scour at base of falls, levels raised by humans.	Lack of LWD.	None, outcrop.	ns	Gullying from tributaries intersecting valley sides, landslides from trail runoff, us inputs from flood/scour, sediment flushed through reach, occasional gravel bars.	Thick algae on rocks, heavily used trails.	31
32	Miller Creek at Ridgeview Rd.	46°51'04"	92°09'45"	ns	no	ns	32	ns	ns	ns	ns	Potential effects from us landfill.	none	32
USGS field number	Stream name	Latitude	Longitude	Drainage area (mi²)	Measured reach slope (%)	Channel geomorphic setting	USGS field number	Pool notes	LWD notes	Overbank sedimentation	Estimate of streamflow (cfs)	Sensitivity to change	Additional notes	USGS field number
33	Miller Creek at Swan Lake Rd.	46°49'43"	92°10'34"	ns	no	Evidence of incision and widening, organic debris deposition common (peat eroded from us reaches).	33	Silt accumulation in scour hole ds of culvert.	Abundant LWD from banks, helps to stabilize banks.	ns	~1	Us inputs of sediment and runoff.	Oil slick on surface, water odor, receives runoff from airport parking lot, abundant algae, culvert does not block fish passage.	33
34	Miller Creek upstream of Chambers-berg Ave.	46°47'46"	92°09'37"	7.44	yes	Massive erosion problem, new scour channels, widening, incision due to large increases in runoff volume from shopping area.	34	Pools from riffle/pool complex, LWD, and boulder. Siltation in large pool between bottom of reach and driveway crossing.	Abundant, coming from banks, causing local scour/bank erosion, probably source of LWD to downstream reaches.	Center of island between channels: 1–1.5 ft sandy loam over gravel. Buried logs, wood common at 1.5 ft, observed eroding from bank toe as well.	~4	High—runoff, sediment source for downstream reaches.	Bridge does not block fish passage; landowner said no fish spawning in 2003 because of fish kill last winter and dry summer. Landowner thought stream change happened after commercial development on north side of highway. Some springs downstream of bridge.	34
35	Miller Creek at Anderson Rd.	46°47'36"	92°09'26"	ns	yes	Signs of widening, more so downstream of culvert, upstream banks reinforced with riprap, no indications of siltation.	35	1 step pool.	Occas. LWD from alder along banks, some sediment trapping, some bank stabilization.	ns, residential backyards.	~4	High—runoff, sediment source for downstream reaches, human alterations to control channel changes.	Culvert does not block fish passage, erosion around upstream side of culvert.	35
36	Miller Creek between 2nd and 3rd St. and 26th Ave.	46°45'51"	92°07'58"	ns	no	Stable, wide short cascade between underground segments.	36	none	Minimal.	ns	ns	Highly altered and reinforced.	No fish passage through culvert, short open section between underground segments.	36
37	Miller Creek at 10th St.	46°46'15"	92°08'23"	ns	no	Somewhat stable because of bedrock, increase in side scour because of increase in flood size, also some indication of incision under bridge (1927), maybe a bit of plucking going on.	37	Pools at bottom of falls.	Occas LWD from valley sides, transported out during floods.	None, outcrop.	4?	Valley side failures from road/trail runoff, and entrance of storm sewers/tribs. road washouts common.	none	37
38	Mission Creek at Hwy 23	46°39'39"	92°16'32"	ns	no	Maybe some widening, no signs of incision, man made channel oversized.	38	Rare or absent.	Rare LWD, from bank, no function.	None?	3?	Low—human alterations, reinforcements.	Bridge area looks stable, no signs of erosion, does not block fish passage.	38
39	Mission Creek at 131st Ave. West	46°40'13"	92°16'37"	ns	no	Impoundment collected about 1–2 feet gravel disturbed by dam.	39	ns	ns	ns	ns	Unknown.	Dam has been out for some time, 1997 air photo shows disturbance at site as well. Not very good location.	39
40	Mission Creek at Helburg Rd.	46°42'11"	92°20'02"	ns	no	ns	40	None present.	LWD from bank.	ns	0	Runoff from interstate, road crossings.	Road crossing interfering with drainage.	40
41	Kingsbury Creek south of Alice St and 1st Ave. North	46°44'13"	92°13'12"	ns	no	Widening—alders falling, exposed roots common, grassy banks are undercut, fine sed deposition between boulders and in pools.	41	Pools related to step/pool channel units.	LWD from bank, alders falling in, some hanging above channel ds, no function.	ns	2?	High—if runoff increases will widen more.	none	41
42	Keene Creek at Bristol St.	46°44'15"	92°10'35"	ns	no	Stable, artificial hardening from willows and boulder riprap on banks, drop structure at end of park.	42	None except for at bottom of drop structure.	LWD rare, maybe from upstream, no function.	ns	2?	Low—human alterations, reinforcements.	3 foot drop in drop structure is fish barrier?	42
43	Chester Creek at Triggs Rd.	46°49'12"	92°06'40"	3.00	yes	Unstable, multiple channels, similar to site 34 except maybe a little more incised. Degrading and widening, flood channels common.	43	Pools related to riffle/pool sequences and LWD.	LWD common from banks and upstream, provides multiple functions.	0.5–1.5 ft sand loam over gv/co.	<1/4	High—widening/downcutting—provides sediment to ds reaches.	Bedrock geologic map (1949) shows gridwork of streets in the section, not there today. Old building foundation on right bank of cross section 2, maybe more houses there 50 years ago than now?	43
44	Miller Creek at Lake Superior College	46°47'06"	92°08'52"	8.26	yes	Signs of widening in areas without bank protection and some slight incision.	44	No pools in reach.	LWD mainly from banks/valley side slope.	Minimal on right side, 1.5 ft sand w/boulder. No left FP; all riprap on left side.	4?	Slight to moderate—hardened banks and bottom, subject to side scour from increases in flood size.	Artificial hardening of left side where storm sewer parallels creek for long distance, probably down to STP at lake.	44
45	U.S. Steel Creek upstream of Hwy. 23	46°40'30"	92°13'15"	ns	no	Extensive bank erosion along railroad track.	45	ns	ns	ns	ns	Subject to widening.	Recent rebuilding of banks, no veg, silt fence failing.	45
46	Coffee Creek at North 19 1/2 Ave. West	46°46'20"	92°08'04"	ns	no	Bedrock channel, possible enlargement.	46	ns	ns	none	ns	Subject to enlargement.	Disturbed land cover.	46
47	Merritt Creek tributary at Skyline Drive	46°45'45"	92°09'38"	ns	no	Bedrock channel, possible widening.	47	Step pools— garbage, rare.	Rare, us side of bridge.	none	2?	Subject to widening, urban development upstream.	Trails along stream, new residential development us, wetlands common us.	47
48	Merritt Creek at Skyline Drive	46°45'35"	92°09'54"	ns	no	Bedrock channel, possible enlargement.	48	ns	ns	none	ns	Subject to enlargement, urban development upstream.	Cannot access from roads, no parking.	48
USGS field number	Stream name	Latitude	Longitude	Drainage area (mi²)	Measured reach slope (%)	Channel geomorphic setting	USGS field number	Pool notes	LWD notes	Overbank sedimentation	Estimate of streamflow (cfs)	Sensitivity to change	Additional notes	USGS field number

The intensive sites mainly were in two of the largest watersheds in the Duluth area—Miller Creek (9.3 mi²) and Lester River (36 mi²). This design allowed for an understanding of the downstream progression of geomorphic conditions and processes, including linkages among sediment erosion, transport, and deposition. Miller Creek was chosen for more detailed study because of past and ongoing urban development in its upper watershed and erosion-resistant gabbro bedrock. The Lester River watershed had mainly rural land and contained volcanic and intrusive rocks. An intensive site was measured along Mission Creek in a transitional reach near a glacial lake shoreline between glacial deposits and bedrock (site 1), which has urban development upstream and future potential for valley side failures. An intensive site also was in a transitional reach along Chester Creek (site 43) between glacial deposits and bedrock. Both of these sites are in reaches near the upstream boundary between glacial deposits, glacial lake shorelines, and bedrock. These two sites had similar geologic settings to site 23 on the Lester River and site 34 on Miller Creek (figs. 1, 4, and 5).

Most of the channel types described by Montgomery and Buffington (1998) were present in Duluth-area streams except for dune-ripple types (fig. 10, table 8). Fitting possible channel characteristics into categories for the segments was sometimes difficult for reaches in slope transition zones where channel conditions changed rapidly. Also, it was difficult to distinguish whether some streams were flowing on alluvium, colluvium, or glacial outwash deposits. Wetland channels and artificial ditches most commonly had slopes of less than 0.3 percent but some had slopes of 0.3 to 1 percent. Wetland ditches contained fine-grained deposits of organic-rich material during low flow that was most likely transported downstream during runoff events. Plane-bed channels were in middle main-stem transition areas between glacial deposits and exposed bedrock, in lower main-stem transition areas where streams flowed from steep bedrock to gentle till plain or landfill. Plane-bed channels generally had slopes from about 1 to 4 percent. Pool-riffle channels had slopes of about 1 to 2 percent and generally were in streams intersecting glacial deposits. Step-pool channels were mainly in middle main stems with slopes greater than 2 percent where glacial deposits transitioned to bedrock at the land surface. At slopes greater than 4 percent, channel types on main stems were cascade or bedrock and on tributaries were colluvial or bedrock.

Figure 10. Hierarchical classification of channel types in the Duluth, Minn., area (modified from Montgomery and Buffington, 1993; 1998). (%, percent; >, greater than; <, less than)

Table 8. Potential channel types in each slope/valley category for Duluth-area streams, Minn.

[<, less than; >, greater than; channel types: WE, wetland; PR, pool-riffle; PB, plane-bed; SP, step-pool; BE, bedrock; CA, cascade; CO, colluvial; na, not applicable]

Slope category (percent)	No valley	Confined	Entrenched	Alluvial	Bedrock
<0.3	WE	na	na	na	na
0.3-1	WE/PR	na	na	PB/PR	na
>1-2	PR	PB	PB	na	PB/SP/BE
>2-4	PB	SP/CA/CO	SP/CA/BE/CO	na	SP/CA/BE/CO
>4-8	na	CA/BE/CO	CA/BE/CO	na	BE/CA/CO
>8	na	BE	BE	na	BE

Geomorphic characteristics plotted on longitudinal profiles for Lester River (fig. 11 A ) and Miller Creek (fig. 11 B ) illustrate how segment and reach characteristics progressively change from upstream to downstream. In the Lester River watershed, the upper main stem flows through wetlands, with gentle slopes and ditches (site 25). Progressing downstream at site 24, the slope remains gentle as the stream flows across supraglacial drift. At site 24, there is no valley, runoff and sediment inputs are low, and LWD is rare. Farther downstream, the entrenched valley is cut into glacial outwash and ice contact deposits and the slope increases (site 30). Evidence of valley side failures or landslides is present (accentuated by the narrow valley and erodible glacial deposits) and bank erosion is common along straight stretches and bends, indicating channel widening. It is likely that, at about this point along the main stem, tributaries become sediment sources to the main stem. Overbank sedimentation is occurring on the flood plain. Farther downstream at site 23 (fig. 1), the slope lessens where the bedrock changes from a gabbro intrusion to volcanic rocks. Sediment deposition in the channel and in overbank areas is more common than at site 30, along with LWD jams. The channel shows signs of widening and bank erosion is common but there is less lateral migration and valley side failures are less common than upstream. At site 20, the slope increases where the stream intersects a gabbro intrusion and the channel type is step-pool. Farther downstream at site 31, the steep bedrock channel shows scour along channel margins, an indication of channel expansion. Bank erosion is more likely to occur where banks are composed of alluvium instead of bedrock or colluvium. The reach at site 31 functions as a transfer zone, and sediment and LWD are transported through the reach and downstream. There is little or no overbank sedimentation. LWD originating from tree-lined banks or valley side slopes is transported downstream. Falls or rapids are at intersections with erosion-resistant felsic rocks, or rocks with less jointing or air pockets, whereas pools or cascades are at intersections with mafic rocks, which are less resistant to erosion. Pools are free-formed below falls; pool levels are sometimes raised by human modification (stacking rocks at the lower end) for swimming. Bluff and gully erosion is common along hiking trails and near storm drain outfalls that run along the valley top because they tend to concentrate runoff. Landslides also are frequent where runoff becomes concentrated. Feeder tributaries in this reach are prone to gully erosion and provide local sources of sediment to the main stem.

Figure 11. Longitudinal profiles for A, Lester River and B, Miller Creek, in the Duluth, Minn., area. See table 6 for explanation of abbreviations—Continued. (<, less than)

Similar to Lester River, the upper main stem of Miller Creek begins with wetland ditches with gentle slopes (site 33, fig. 11 B ). Site 34 is downstream of an area with extensive shopping development and upstream of the transition from glacial deposits to bedrock at the land surface. The channel type at site 34 is pool-riffle with evidence for recent (within 5 years) channel widening, avulsion (sudden channel movement), and flood scour. The flood plain has about 1.5 ft of post-settlement alluvium. LWD is common and provides some habitat and pools. Downstream, in the steep reach affected by the Duluth-complex gabbro rocks (site 44), the cascade-type channel shows signs of channel expansion in areas with no flood plain or widening in areas with flood plain. There is minimal to no overbank sedimentation through the reach at site 34. This site functions as a transfer zone for upstream sources of sediment and upstream or bank-derived LWD. Site 37 downstream is an example of a bedrock channel with a slope of greater than 8 percent. Similar to Lester River, bedrock channels on Miller Creek show evidence of channel expansion (scoured bedrock along channel margins and trees toppling into the channel) and sediment inputs from landslides and gully development along the tops of valley sides related to storm drains and hiking trails. Downstream of the bedrock-controlled zone, the channel is an artificial plane-bed at site 36.

No intensive sites were on tributaries, but observations and photographs from tributaries or small main stems with rapid assessments indicated that middle and lower tributaries with relatively steep slopes had colluvial, cascade, or bedrock channel types (fig. 12). For example, site 46 on Coffee Creek (considered a tributary to the lower main stem of Miller Creek), was ephemeral and had a mix of colluvial/bedrock channel types (fig. 12 A ). Tributaries to Merritt, Stewart, and Keene Creeks were perennial (figs. 12 B–D ). The Stewart Creek tributary (site 2) had a small colluvial channel that was hidden by vegetation. The Merritt Creek tributary (site 47) had a bedrock channel. The Keene Creek tributary (site 5) had a cascade channel. The amount of scour in the channels was attributed to upstream land cover and effects on runoff and flood peaks. Coffee Creek had an urban watershed; Stewart Creek had a forested watershed. Merritt Creek was forested at the site but had urban development in the upper half of its watershed, and the Keene Creek tributary had a mix of forest and shrubland but local erosion problems from road drainage.

Figure 12. Photographs of rapid assessment sites on tributaries affected by bedrock: A, site 46 on Coffee Creek, B, site 2 on Stewart Creek tributary, C, site 47 on Merritt Creek tributary, and D, site 5 on Keene Creek tributary, Duluth, Minn., area.

Potential Response and Sensitivity to Disturbance

Human activities affect geomorphic processes in Duluth-area streams at multiple spatial scales (tables 5 and 7). Activities include watershed-scale forest clearing for logging, agriculture, or urban development; segment-scale clearing of riparian vegetation for similar purposes, road construction and drainage, and ditching; and reach-scale or local features, such as human-caused channel alterations (straightening, dredging, damming), gravel pits or quarries, road crossings, and hiking trails. Geomorphic conditions in each segment may be affected by upstream changes in the flow regime or sediment inputs, or downstream disturbances such as changes in base level (creation of a reservoir) or straightening (increases slope). Geomorphic processes also may be affected by past activities for which there may be little modern evidence, such as forest clearing, logging, log dams, and log drives following European settlement in the late 1800s.

Each segment has a known or extrapolated set of geomorphic processes that are presently occurring (table 5). For Lake Superior tributaries in Wisconsin, watershed-scale removal of forest vegetation has increased the size of flood peaks and caused increased erosion and sedimentation rates compared to pre-European settlement conditions (Fitzpatrick and others, 1999). Streams in the Duluth area are geologically young and very few are alluvial; thus the textbook concepts of geomorphic stability and potential responses or sensitivity to disturbance that are based on geologically old stream systems in well-developed alluvial valleys may not be applicable (such as development of concave upward profiles described by Hack (1960)).

Example streams that illustrate how geomorphic processes are affected by human activities and disturbance are middle or lower main stems in the Duluth area with entrenched valleys. If their watersheds are completely forested, landslides and bluff erosion would occur episodically where stream meanders intersected valley sides. If a watershed is cleared for urban development, increased runoff and flood peaks would increase stream power, which in turn would increase the erosive potential of the channel, potentially contributing to bank erosion and landslides. Segments with steep slopes and narrow, deep valleys developed in glacial deposits have the most potential for lateral movement and landslides if upstream runoff contributions are increased. Landslide and bluff erosion also can be increased by the creation of gullies from hiking paths, storm drains, and road drainage that concentrate runoff onto erosive or unstable slopes. If a channel is in a bedrock-controlled valley, the likelihood of the occurrence of a landslide is less or minimal during human time scales, but still would be possible in areas that have glacial deposits overlying bedrock. Also, the sensitivity of bedrock channels to disturbance will be less than alluvial channels or channels that flow through glacial deposits.

Another example of geomorphic response to disturbance are middle main stems that flow through glacial deposits but are close to the transition to exposed bedrock, such as at Mission Creek (site 1), Miller Creek (site 34), Chester Creek (site 43), and Lester River (site 23) (figs. 1, 4, and 5). At these sites, Miller and Chester Creeks do not have developed valleys but Mission Creek and Lester River are larger rivers with less resistive bedrock and entrenched valleys. Upstream inputs of water and sediment have changed for all these sites because of land clearing and wetland drainage, most dramatically for Miller Creek because of extensive commercial development in its upper watershed. Downstream, bedrock is a local base-level control, inhibiting incision as a possible geomorphic response to upstream increases in runoff and changes in sediment sources and inputs. The most ubiquitous response in these middle main stems to upstream increases in runoff is channel widening, lateral migration, and avulsion. If the streams have developed valleys, then migration into valley sides causes landslides. Slopes and banks are low enough that overbank sedimentation can result. These streams do not have lateral bedrock controls, and old glacial shorelines and ancient beaches are common in this transition area and deposits from them are easily eroded if they occur along valley sides. Thus, these segments have a high potential for geomorphic change from upstream increases in runoff volumes and flood peaks.

Geomorphic Segment Classification

Based on the compilation and interpretation of watershed-, segment-, and reach-scale data, the segments were grouped into 15 geomorphic segment categories (GSCs) with similar geomorphic characteristics and processes (fig. 13 and table 9). The categories are primarily based on slope and drainage-network position and secondarily on geologic setting and valley type. Dominant geomorphic processes are summarized for each category. As stated earlier, the classification is based on reach, segment, and watershed characteristics specific to Duluth-area streams. There may be unknown local disturbance mechanisms that have affected geomorphic processes for some segments that were not field surveyed. This classification is only directly applicable for Duluth-area streams and is useful for showing the importance of linking geomorphic features of a specific reach to drainage-network scale processes. In the Duluth area, streams generally flow perpendicular to their base-level control (Lake Superior or St. Louis River estuary). The boundary between glacial deposits and exposed bedrock, and glacial lake shorelines also run parallel to Lake Superior. Thus, drainage-network position, geologic setting, topography, and valley type are closely related for Duluth-area streams, making the potential sources for and transport of sediment ultimately linked to their position within the drainage network.

Figure 13. Geomorphic segment classification for Duluth-area streams, Minn.—Continued (A, northern portion and B, southern portion). Categories mainly based on drainage-network position and slope. (%, percent; >, greater than; <, less than; ID, identification code)

Table 9. Geomorphic segment classification scheme for streams in the Duluth, Minn., area based on slope, drainage-network position, geologic setting, and valley type. Potential channel type, dominant geomorphic processes, pre-European settlement conditions, and potential sensitivity to disturbance also are summarized.

[<, less than; >, greater than; LWD, large woody debris. See table 6 for definitions of abbreviations for drainage-network position, geologic setting, valley type, and potential channel type.]

Segment	Slope (percent)	Drainage network position	Geologic setting	Valley type	Potential channel type	Dominant geomorphic processes in 2003	Likely pre-European settlement conditions	Potential sensitivity to disturbance	Number of segments
W	<0.3	UM, UT	SD	N	WE	Incision during floods, aggradation during low flow, runoff source	Channels poorly defined or absent	Low/Moderate	7
W.3	0.3–1	UM, UT, MT	SD	N	WE	Incision during floods, aggradation during low flow, runoff source	Channels poorly defined	Moderate	19
U1	>1–2	UM	SD	N	PR?	Incision, bank erosion	Not known	High	4
U2	>2–4	UM	SD/BED/SH	C	PB/SP?	Incision, bluff erosion, bank erosion	Not known	Moderate	7
M.3	0.3–1	MM	SD/SH	N/E	PR	Bank erosion, bluff erosion, lateral migration, bar formation, overbank sedimentation	Meandering pool/riffle channels dominated by gravel with bank erosion limited to outside bends, abundant LWD	Moderate/high	7
M1	>1–2	MM	BED/SH transition	C/E/N	PR/SP	Bank erosion, bluff erosion, lateral migration, bar formation, overbank sedimentation	Meandering pool riffle or step pool channels depending on proximity to bedrock	Moderate/high	19
M2	>2–4	MM	BED/SH	C	SP/PB	Bank erosion, bluff erosion, lateral migration, bar formation	Possibly step-pool channels with gravel, cobble, boulder beds	Moderate/high	6
B	>4–8+	MM, LM	BED	C/E	BE/CA	Channel expansion, bluff erosion	Bedrock or step/pool channels, possibly abundant large woody debris	Low	30
L1	>1–2	LM	TP/LA	C/E	PB	Channel expansion, widening	Potentially meandering pool/riffle channels with abundant large woody debris	Low/moderate	6
L2	>2–4	LM	BED/TP transition	C/E	PB/BE	Channel expansion, widening, bank erosion, bar formation	Potentially step/pool channels with abundant large woody debris	Low/moderate	10
A	0.3–1	LM	TP/LA	A/N	PR/AR	Aggradation	Meandering, avulsing sand channels in estuary setting	Low/high	9
T1	>1–2	UT, MT	SD/BED transition	E/C/N	PR?	Incision, widening, bank erosion, gully erosion	Unknown	Moderate/high	12
T2	>2–4	UT, MT	BED/SH	C/E	PB?	Incision, gully erosion, bank erosion	Unknown	Moderate/high	21
BT	>4–8+	MT, LT	BED	C	CO/CA	Channel expansion, incision, gully erosion	Poorly defined colluvial channels	Moderate	19
LT	>2–4	LT	SD/BED/SH	C	PB/CO/BE	Incision, gully erosion, bank erosion, lateral migration	Poorly defined colluvial channels	Moderate/high	11

Headwater Channels with Gentle Slopes

Headwater segments with slopes less than 0.3 percent (W) or from 0.3 to 1 percent (W.3) are mainly upper main stems or tributaries to upper main stems in wetlands and lowland areas in the larger watersheds (table 9). The channels are commonly altered by ditching (table 5). Ditching helps speed up runoff to downstream segments with steeper slopes. Many of the channels are bisected by roads and receive runoff from large transportation corridors. Many channels have culvert placement-related problems at road crossings. Channels have water in them and low banks but have little flow between runoff events. Fine-grained, organic-rich material accumulates during low flow within the channels; however, the beds of the channels are on parent material, such as glacial lake clay, which gives the appearance that the fine-grained material is flushed out during runoff events.

Headwater streams tend to respond to increases in runoff by widening rather than incision. There is evidence from the GLO notes that the wetland channels are wider now than they were in the mid-1800s, probably from a combination of ditching, road runoff, and historical upland clearing. For example, at site 25 on Lester River, the channel in 1858 was 3 ft wide compared to 18–22 ft wide in 2003. Occasional LWD from banks provides local habitat and sediment trapping but floods are generally not powerful enough to transport large debris.

Presently (2005), these headwater segments generally have low to moderate sensitivity to disturbance because of gentle slopes, but they have some potential to widen with further increases in runoff. Segments with slopes of 0.3–1 percent are distinguished in the classification from segments with less than 0.3 percent because the potential sensitivity to disturbance may be higher in the channels with greater than 0.3 percent slopes. If runoff is increased through urban development or road drainage, there is a potential that the channels will widen and become greater sources of runoff and fine-grained sediment to downstream segments.

Upper Main Stems with Moderate Slopes

A small number of upper main stems have greater than 1–2 percent or greater than 2–4 percent slopes (U1 and U2 categories, respectively; table 9). These segments are at the upper end of some of the small watersheds that begin at or near the transition zone between glacial deposits and bedrock, such as Chester Creek (greater than 1–2 percent slopes with no valley development), or in bedrock, such as Merritt Creek (greater than 2–4 percent slopes with confined valleys). Potential causes for geomorphic change include urban development or vegetation clearing, road drainage, and channel alterations. The bedrock segments have higher slopes; however, segments in glacial deposits have a greater potential to respond to increases in runoff through incision or widening. Riparian land cover along the segments varies from urban to forest. If forested, segments may be a source for LWD from the banks.

Middle Main Stems with Gentle or Moderate Slopes

Middle main stems are divided into three groups based on their slope category (M.3, M1, and M2) (table 9). Middle main stems with greater than 1 to 2 percent slopes are the most common in watersheds within the study area.

Middle main stems with gentle slopes (M.3) are in larger watersheds on supraglacial drift upstream of the bedrock outcrops with no valley development or entrenched valleys. Site 23 on Lester River and site 34 on Miller Creek fall into this category. These segments generally have pool-riffle channel types and are large enough to have some alluvium in channel and overbank areas. The main potential cause for disturbance is upstream increases in runoff. Local disturbances, such as channel alteration and road drainage, also may affect geomorphic conditions. Segments function as sediment source zones through bank erosion, widening and possibly increasing bluff erosion where valleys are developed, zones of sediment transfer, and also zones of sediment accumulation in overbank areas and bar formation. Potential for geomorphic conditions to change because of upstream increases in runoff is moderate to high. Riparian areas tend to be forested and are a source for LWD, but LWD has a high potential to be transported downstream during floods or form large log jams at bends.

Middle main stems with greater than 1 to 2 percent slopes (M1) are at the transition zone between bedrock and glacial deposits and have confined or entrenched valleys. These segments mainly function as sediment sources and transfer zones, with local storage of sediment in bars downstream of large eroding banks. Similar to M.3 segments, increased runoff from upstream segments is the main potential cause for disturbance, as well as road and storm drainage. There is more potential for landslides and bank erosion than for M.3 segments because of the steeper slopes and more developed valleys. The M1 segments generally have high sensitivity to disturbance unless developed in bedrock. There is no evidence for historical width changes for M1 segments. Forested riparian areas and upstream segments are sources for LWD. At site 43 on Chester Creek, LWD is providing some bank and bar stabilization and sediment trapping, and, occasionally, some pool scour.

Middle main stems with greater than 2 to 4 percent slopes (M2) have confined valleys and are typically developed in transition zones between glacial deposits, bedrock or glacial shorelines. These segments are generally zones of sediment transfer, with some segments also functioning as sediment sources. Potential disturbances are upstream increases in runoff, and local effects of urbanization and road drainage. Possible geomorphic changes from upstream increases in runoff include widening, bank erosion, landslides, lateral migration, and bar formation. Potential for geomorphic change from disturbances ranges from moderate to high, depending on parent material and valley type. Segments with gabbro bedrock have moderate potential, whereas segments with glacial deposits or sedimentary rocks have high potential.

Bedrock Main Stems with Steep Slopes

Bedrock channels with steep slopes (greater than 4 percent slope) (B) are common and are on steep middle to lower main stems with mainly gabbro bedrock (figs. 4 and 13). The valleys contain little or no alluvium, have little or no flood plain, and channel sides and bottom are composed of bedrock. These segments are mainly source and transport zones for water and sediment. Potential disturbances include increased runoff from upstream segments and feeder tributaries, and local landslides and mass wasting from hiking trails, road drainage, and storm sewers. Most of the sediment from the failures is transported downstream. Increases in runoff and flood peaks result in the expansion of the flow area and scour zone but the channel morphology typically remains the same because of the vertical and horizontal bedrock control. Instead, channel erosion may increase through waterfall recession and knickpoint migration (Tinkler and Wohl, 1998). Pools temporarily fill with fine sediment between floods. A comparison of GLO survey notes and 2003 channel surveys from site 44 on Miller Creek indicates that in 2003 the channel possibly was 3–5 ft wider than in 1858. Potential for geomorphic change in these segments is low to moderate because the channel morphology is controlled by bedrock.

Presently, the effect of LWD on channel morphology in these reaches is negligible because most of the wood is not large enough to remain stationary during floods. However, LWD may have had more effect on channel morphology prior to European settlement when the size of the LWD was much larger because trees in the immediate riparian zone and upstream segments were larger. It is possible that some cascade or bedrock channels were step/pool prior to European settlement. Bank-derived LWD may alter channel morphology by providing local and temporary scour or lateral migration caused by temporary steps or log jams. A study of LWD in Washington streams suggested that woody debris affects channel morphology, planform, and flood-plain topography (Abbe and Montgomery, 2002); however, woody debris shorter than half the channel width is unstable and provides only temporary storage of sediment (Montgomery and Buffington, 1993).

Lower Main Stems with Moderate Slopes

Lower main stems with slopes from greater than 1 to 4 percent (L1 and L2) are in Lester River and Mission Creeks and other watersheds in the southwestern part of the study area (fig. 13). These segments generally have entrenched or confined valleys developed in a range of geologic materials (table 5). Many of the channels have human-caused channel alterations and have been straightened or have extensive bank stabilization and grade control. These channels function as zones of sediment transport. Causes for disturbance include increased runoff and sediment from upstream segments, road drainage, concentrated drainage and landslides from storm sewers and hiking trails. Segments that are bedrock controlled have flow expansion from increased runoff. Widening and lateral migration may occur in alluvial channels that have not been artificially stabilized. A comparison of channel widths at site 31 on Lester River for 1858 and 2003 indicates that the channel has widened by 5 ft or more. Potential for geomorphic change generally is low to moderate depending on parent material and slope.

Aggradational Main Stems with Gentle Slopes

Aggradational lower main stems (A) are uncommon in the study area (fig. 13). These segments are on till or lake plain and drain to the St. Louis River estuary (fig. 1). Channels typically are artificially constructed plane-bed channels, such as those at site 38 on Mission Creek. The lower main stem of Sargent Creek potentially is the least affected by human-caused channel alterations. The gentle slopes are conducive to sediment accumulation in overbank areas and in channels. Potential causes for disturbance to these channels include increases in runoff and sediment from upstream areas and concentrated drainage from roads. These streams also are naturally affected by slowly rising water levels in Lake Superior due to regional differences in crustal rebound after glacial ice melted from the region about 10,000 years ago (Larsen, 1994). Potential sensitivity to disturbance ranges from low to high, depending on how channel alteration and hardening has occurred. The source and function of LWD in these segments is unknown. At site 38 on Mission Creek (fig. 1), LWD was rare, with some trees falling in from the banks.

Tributaries with Moderate to Steep Slopes

As mentioned previously, less time, effort, and field checking was spent on tributaries, especially those that are ephemeral. The majority of the approximately 70 tributary segments are ephemeral and 4 of the 15 GSCs are based on tributaries (T1, T2, BT, and LT; table 9). The divisions for the four categories mainly reflect the potential for the tributaries to incise or form gullies. All four categories are considered source areas for sediment and runoff to main stems. Major causes for disturbances are land clearing, urbanization, concentrated drainage from roads or storm sewers, and gravel pits and quarries. Forested riparian zones provide LWD sources; LWD function likely varies depending on slope.

Tributaries with greater than 1–2 percent slopes (T1) generally flow on glacial deposits and tributaries with greater than 2–4 percent slopes (T2) flow on bedrock or glacial lake shoreline deposits. Valley types for T1 segments include undeveloped, confined, and entrenched, whereas valleys for T2 segments are confined or entrenched. Many of the T1 and T2 segments are in the Mission Creek watershed, with T2 segments on the eastern side of the watershed because there is more relief coming off of the Duluth gabbro complex and T1 segments on the western side because there is less relief related to the lake plain/till plain and sedimentary bedrock. Both T1 and T2 segments have moderate to high potential for incision, bank erosion, and landslides. Steeper segments have more potential for erosion unless they are bedrock controlled. Steep segments that intersect glacial lake shoreline deposits have the highest potential for erosion.

Tributaries with confined bedrock valleys (BT) have steep slopes and are also sources of runoff and some sediment to bedrock main stems. Many tributaries are in urban areas. Even though slopes are steep, potential sensitivity to disturbance is moderate because incision and widening are limited by the presence of bedrock in channel margins.

Tributaries to lower main stems (mainly Amity and Mission Creeks) with 2–4 percent slopes are colluvial channels in confined valleys (LT) and are sources for runoff and sediment. These segments have moderate to high potential to incise, widen, and produce gullies and landslides because of their proximity to main stems with entrenched valleys.

Summary and Conclusions

Streams in 20 watersheds in the Duluth, Minn. area were studied by the USGS in cooperation with the city of Duluth in 2003–04 to identify channel geomorphic characteristics and processes, identify potential causes for geomorphic changes related to disturbance, and develop a classification reflective of characteristics, processes, and potential for geomorphic change. These goals were accomplished by collecting watershed-, segment-, and reach-scale geomorphic data from digital maps, historical maps and notes, aerial photographs, and rapid assessments and intensive surveys. Understanding the geomorphic conditions and processes of these streams is important because they relate to overall water and aquatic-resource quality and adjacent plant and animal habitat.

Streams in the Duluth area have been affected by a variety of historical land uses. Main causes of historical and present geomorphic disturbance include logging, agriculture, ongoing urban development, human-caused channel alterations, road and storm sewer drainage, ditching, hiking trails, and gravel pits or quarries. Geomorphic responses to these disturbances are dependent on a combination of drainage-network position, slope, and geologic setting. Almost all of the channel segments have undergone some geomorphic changes from past human-related disturbances.

Segments were classified into 15 unique geomorphic-segment categories primarily based on differences in drainage-network position and slope, and, secondarily, based on geologic setting, valley type, and dominant geomorphic processes. The categories accounted for major differences in geology and valley types because stream networks generally are perpendicular to the Lake Superior shoreline, and a major contact between glacial deposits and exposed bedrock parallels the Lake Superior shoreline. The three major bedrock types in the Duluth area have a range in erosion resistance; the least resistant are the Animikie Group sedimentary rocks in the Mission Creek watershed, the most resistant are the Duluth Complex gabbro intrusions in the center of the city; and the Keweenawan volcanic rocks in the Lester and Amity River watersheds are moderately resistive.

Because of insufficient slope or bedrock control, most of the drainage networks in the Duluth area have low to moderate potential for channel change from future disturbance. Some channels cannot incise further because bedrock acts as grade control, but channels can be sediment sources from widening, bank erosion, and landslides (in confined or entrenched valleys). Most of the headwaters segments with gentle slopes at altitudes about 1,200 ft above NAVD27 have been ditched or channelized. Combined with urban development and concentrated road drainage, these segments are primary sources for runoff and secondary sources of sediment to downstream segments. Middle main-stem segments are at altitudes from about 1,200 to 1,000 ft and have moderate slopes in confined or entrenched valleys that are in the contact zone between glacial deposits, bedrock, and glacial-lake shorelines. These segments have a high potential for channel change and are primary sediment sources because they have confined or entrenched valleys with sandy glacial-lakeshore deposits.

Below about 1,000 ft, main-stem segments and tributaries generally are affected by bedrock type and structure and have steep slopes and confined or entrenched valleys. Increases in flood peaks usually do not cause incision or widening in bedrock-controlled valleys; instead, the flow and scour area is expanded into riparian zones along the channel boundaries. Feeder tributaries to these main stems have steep, confined valleys and may be sources for runoff and sediment from urban areas or road and storm sewer drainage. Tributaries with glacial deposits overlying colluvium have a high potential for incision, widening, and landslides and mass wasting from valley sides. Aggradational or gentle-sloped lower main stems are in flat areas of till plains or fill between the bedrock bluffs and Lake Superior or the St. Louis River. These channels are mainly artificially constructed or stabilized.

The segment-scale classification developed for this study can be used as a screening tool to distinguish channels that may require extra attention and care in preventing landslides and bank erosion. The classification is an initial step toward a better understanding of the spatial distribution of channels with similar geomorphic processes. The classification can be refined as more reach-scale geomorphic data are collected, especially for tributary segments. The classification could be improved and verified through quantitative geomorphic measurements at additional intensive survey sites and further monitoring at established intensive survey sites.

Acknowledgments

Todd Bohle (Seattle Public Utilities–Washington) assisted with initial stream characterization and review of historical aerial photos. Kyle Deming (city of Duluth) helped to guide study goals and approach and provided digital maps of Duluth urban features. Meghan Hannon (USGS Minnesota Water Science Center) assisted with field surveys and historical aerial photography interpretation. Christopher Sanocki, Andrea Bergman, and Paul Oduro (USGS Minnesota Water Science Center) provided digital maps of drainage boundaries, bedrock, glacial deposits, land cover, and population density. Jacqueline Hamilton (USGS Minnesota Water Science Center) obtained Government Land Office Survey notes. Meredith Cornett, Brian Schreurs, Thomas Duffus, and Daryl Peterson, all of The Nature Conservancy (Minnesota), are thanked for assistance with digital maps, input on study design, and technical insights. Todd Bohle, Daryl Peterson, David Montgomery (University of Washington), and Timothy Diehl (USGS Tennessee Water Science Center) provided technical reviews. Editorial review was completed by Angel Martin (USGS Illinois Water Science Center). Michelle Greenwood and Jennifer Bruce (USGS Wisconsin Water Science Center) created publication-quality graphics and did the layout design.

References Cited

Abbe, T.B., and Montgomery, D.R., 2002, Patterns and processes of wood debris accumulation in the Queets River Basin, Washington: Geomorphology, v. 51, p. 81–107.

Bohle, Todd, 2002, Stream channel assessment of the Caribou, Manitou, and East Branch of the Baptism watersheds: Unpublished report to The Nature Conservancy, January 4, 2002, 34 p.

Camp Dresser and McKee, Inc., 2000, Technical memorandum, assessment of watersheds, City of Duluth: St. Paul, Minn., Camp Dresser and McKee Inc., 35 p.

Eichenlaub, V. L., 1979, Weather and climate of the Great Lakes region: Notre Dame, University of Notre Dame Press, 335 p.

Fitzpatrick, F.A., Waite, I.R., D'Arconte, P.J., Meador, M.R., Maupin, M.A., and Gurtz, M.E., 1998, Revised methods for characterizing stream habitat in the National Water-Quality Assessment Program: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 98–4052, 67 p.

Fitzpatrick, F. A., Knox, J. C., and Whitman, H. E., 1999, Effects of historical land-cover changes on flooding and sedimentation, North Fish Creek, Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99–4083, 12 p.

Gibson, R.J., Haedrich, R.L., and Wernerheim, C.M., 2005, Loss of fish habitat as a consequence of inappropriately constructed stream crossings: Fisheries, v. 30, no. 1, p. 10–17.

Goebel, J.E., Mickelson, D.M., Farrand, W.R., Clayton, L., Knox, J.C., Cahow, A., Hobbs, H.C., and Walton, M.S., Jr., 1983, Quaternary geologic map of the Minneapolis 4^o by 6^o quadrangle, United States: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series, Map 1–1420 (NL–15), scale 1:1,000,000.

Hack, J.T., 1960, Interpretation of erosional topography in humid temperate regions: American Journal of Science, v. 5, p. 258-A, p. 80–97.

Hack, J.T., 1965, Postglacial drainage evolution and stream geometry in the Ontonagon area, Michigan: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 504–B, 40 p.

Harrelson, C.C., Rawlins, C.L., and Potyondy, J.P., 1994, Stream channel reference sites: an illustrated guide to field technique: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, General Technical Report RM–245, 31 p.

Hobbs, Howard, 2004, Late Wisconsinan Superior-Lobe deposits in the Superior Basin northeast of Duluth: in Severson, M.J., and Heinz, Julie, Proceedings of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology, 50th Annual Meeting, Field Trip Guidebook, v. 50, p. 86–98.

Knighton, D., 1998, Fluvial forms and processes: New York, Oxford University Press, Inc., 383 p.

Larsen, C.E., 1994, Beach ridges as monitors of isostatic uplift in the upper Great Lakes: Journal of Great Lakes Research, v. 20, n. 1, p. 108–134.

Leverett, Frank, 1929, Moraines and shore lines of the Lake Superior Region: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 154–A, 72 p.

Milfred, C.J., Olson, G.W., and Hole, F.D., 1967, Soil resources and forest ecology of Menominee County, Wisconsin: Madison, Wis., University of Wisconsin, Geological and Natural History Survey, Soil Survey Division, Bulletin 85, Soil Series No. 60: 203 p., 3 pls.

Miller, J. D., Green, J. C., Severson, M. J., Chandler, V. W., and Peterson, D. M., 2002, Geologic map of the Duluth Complex and related rocks, northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map Series M–119, scale 1:200,000.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, 2002, GAP Land Cover, Tiled Raster: 30-meter resolution.

Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2001, Minnesota Department of Transportation Base Map 2001, Runway: 1:24,000 digital data.

Montgomery, D.R., and Buffington, J.M., 1993, Channel classification, prediction of channel response, and assessment of channel condition: Washington Department of Natural Resources Report TFW-SH10-93-002, Olympia, Wash., variously paginated.

Montgomery, D.R., and Buffington, J.M., 1997, Channel-reach morphology in mountain drainage basins: Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, v. 109, p. 596–611.

Montgomery, D.R., and Buffington, J.M., 1998, Channel processes, classification, and response, in Naiman, R.J., and Bilby, R.E., River ecology and management: New York, Springer-Verlag, Inc., p. 13–42.

Munsell Color, 1975, Munsell soil color charts: Baltimore, Munsell Color Division of Kollmorgen Corp., variously paginated.

Schumm, S.A., 1977, The fluvial system: New York, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 338 p.

Schwartz, G.M., 1949, The geology of the Duluth metropolitan area: Minneapolis, Minn., University of Minnesota, Minnesota Geological Survey Bulletin 33, 136 p.

Soil Survey Staff, 1951, Soil survey manual: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Handbook 18, 503 p.

Thorne, C.R., 1998, Stream reconnaissance handbook: Chichester, West Sussex, England, John Wiley and Sons, 133 p.

Tinkler, K.J., and Wohl, E.E., 1998, A primer on bedrock channels, in Tinkler, K.J., and Wohl, E.E., eds., Rivers over rock: fluvial processes in bedrock channels: Washington D.C., American Geophysical Union, p. 1–18.

University on Minnesota-Duluth Geology Department, Minnesota Geological Survey, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1997, Geomorphology of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn., Minnesota Geological Survey: scale 1:100,000 digital data.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2000, Census data for 2000: U.S. Census Bureau data, accessed February 10, 2006 at http://factfinder.census.gov

Van Riper, D., unpublished data, St. Louis County Census Tracts for 1940, 1960 and 1980: University of Minnesota Department of Geography, digital data.

Wolman, M.G., 1954, A method of sampling coarse river-bed material: Transactions of the American Geophysical Union, v. 35, no. 6, p. 951–956.

Young, H.L., and Skinner, E.L., 1974, Water resources of Wisconsin-Lake Superior Basin: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA–524, 3 sheets.

Document Accessibility: Adobe Systems Incorporated has information about PDFs and the visually impaired. This information provides tools to help make PDF files accessible. These tools convert Adobe PDF documents into HTML or ASCII text, which then can be read by a number of common screen-reading programs that synthesize text as audible speech. In addition, an accessible version of Adobe Reader, which contains support for screen readers, is available. These tools and the accessible reader may be obtained free from Adobe at Adobe Access.

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey Persistent URL: http://pubsdata.usgs.gov/pubs/sir/2006/5029/ Page Contact Information: USGS Publishing Network Last modified: Thursday, December 01 2016, 07:01:35 PM

Geomorphic Characteristics and Classification of Duluth-Area Streams, Minnesota

By Faith A. Fitzpatrick, Marie C. Peppler, Michele M. DePhilip1, and Kathy E. Lee

Table of Contents

Figures

Tables