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Sediment Monitoring and Streamflow Modeling Before and After a Stream Restoration in Rice Creek, Minnesota, 2010–2019

Scientific Investigations Report 2022-5004
Prepared in cooperation with Rice Creek Watershed District
By: , , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20225004

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Abstract

The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) cooperated with the U.S. Geological Survey to establish a 10-year suspended sediment and bedload monitoring and streamflow modeling study to evaluate the effects of two restored meander sections on middle Rice Creek in Arden Hills, Minnesota. The RCWD goals of this stream restoration were to reduce water quality impairments, improve aquatic habitat, and reduce associated costs of dredging a sedimentation pond. During the study there were several factors that introduced uncertainty in the sampling results; however, the sampling results indicated there was an increase in the post-stream restoration sediment data because of higher streamflows during the post-stream than the pre-stream restoration monitoring period. The negative relation between suspended fines and streamflow was explained by a reduction in the supply of fines with increasing streamflows. The positive relation among suspended sand, bedload, and streamflow was because of those constituents having a functional relation with the hydraulic properties of flow and a consistent supply of sand. Two-dimensional flow modeling simulations indicated the downstream restored section had less shear stress, more pools, and could access the floodplain at a lower streamflow than the original channel. Overall, the uncertainty of the sampling results indicates the complexity of sediment transport in a river and suggests a need for multisite, multifaceted, multiyear data, and tools to simulate those data to effectively evaluate river restorations.

Suggested Citation

Groten, J.T., Livdahl, C.T., DeLong, S.B., Lund, J.W., Nelson, J.M., Coenen, E.N., Ziegeweid, J.R., and Kocian, M.J., 2022, Sediment monitoring and streamflow modeling before and after a stream restoration in Rice Creek, Minnesota, 2010–2019: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2022–5004, 40 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20225004.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods of Data Collection and Analysis
  • Streamflow, Suspended Sediment, and Bedload Results
  • Summary and Conclusions
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Sediment monitoring and streamflow modeling before and after a stream restoration in Rice Creek, Minnesota, 2010–2019
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2022-5004
DOI 10.3133/sir20225004
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Minnesota Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Description Report: viii, 40 p.; Data release; Dataset
Country United States
State Minnesota
Other Geospatial Rice Creek
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details