Ephemeral seafloor sedimentation during dam removal: Elwha River, Washington
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- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Releases:
- USGS data release - Oceanographic measurements obtained offshore of the Elwha River delta in coordination with the Elwha River Restoration Project, Washington, USA, 2010-2014
- USGS data release - Characterization of seafloor photographs near the mouth of the Elwha River during the first two years of dam removal (2011-2013)
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Abstract
The removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams from the Elwha River in Washington, USA, resulted in the erosion and transport of over 10 million m3 of sediment from the former reservoirs and into the river during the first two years of the dam removal process. Approximately 90% of this sediment was transported through the Elwha River and to the coast at the Strait of Juan de Fuca. To evaluate the benthic dynamics of increased sediment loading to the nearshore, we deployed a tripod system in ten meters of water to the east of the Elwha River mouth that included a profiling current meter and a camera system. With these data, we were able to document the frequency and duration of sedimentation and turbidity events, and correlate these events to physical oceanographic and river conditions. We found that seafloor sedimentation occurred regularly during the heaviest sediment loading from the river, but that this sedimentation was ephemeral and exhibited regular cycles of deposition and erosion caused by the strong tidal currents in the region. Understanding the frequency and duration of short-term sediment disturbance events is instrumental to interpreting the ecosystem-wide changes that are occurring in the nearshore habitats around the Elwha River delta.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Ephemeral seafloor sedimentation during dam removal: Elwha River, Washington |
| Series title | Continental Shelf Research |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.csr.2017.09.005 |
| Volume | 150 |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center |
| Description | 12 p. |
| First page | 36 |
| Last page | 47 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| Other Geospatial | Elwha River |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |