Large wood budget and transport dynamics on a large river using radio telemetry

Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
By: , and 

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Abstract

Despite the abundance of large wood (LW) river studies there is still a lack of understanding of LW transport dynamics on large low gradient rivers. This study used 290 radio frequency identification tagged (RFID) LW and 54 metal (aluminum) tagged LW, to quantify the percent of in-channel LW that moves per year and what variables play a role in LW transport dynamics. Aluminum tags were installed and monitored on LW in-transit during the rising limb of a flood, the mean distance traveled by those pieces during the week was 13.3 river kilometers (km) with a maximum distance of 72 km. RFID tagged LW moved a mean of 11.9 km/yr with a maximum observed at 101.1 km/yr. Approximately 41% of LW low on the bank moves per year. The high rate of transport and distance traveled is likely due to the lack of interaction between LW floating in the channel and the channel boundaries, caused primarily by the width of the channel relative to length of the LW. Approximately 80% of the RFID tags moved past a fixed reader during the highest 20% of river stage per year. LW transport and logjam dynamics are complicated at high flows as pieces form temporary jams that continually expand and contract. Unlike most other studies, key members that create a logjam were defined more by stability than jam size or channel/hydrologic conditions. Finally, using an existing geomorphic database for the river, and data from this study, we were able to develop a comprehensive LW budget showing that 5% of the in-channel LW population turns over each year (input from mass wasting and fluvial erosion equals burial, decomposition, and export out of system) and another 16% of the population moving within the system.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Large wood budget and transport dynamics on a large river using radio telemetry
Series title Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
DOI 10.1002/esp.3463
Volume 39
Issue 4
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) National Research Program - Eastern Branch
Description 12 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
First page 487
Last page 498
Country United States
State North Carolina;Virginia
Other Geospatial Lower Roanoke River
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