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Sediment-transport characteristics of Cane Creek, Lauderdale County, Tennessee

Water-Resources Investigations Report 93-4067
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri934067

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Abstract

An investigation of the sediment-transport characteristics of Cane Creek in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, was conducted from 1985-88 to evaluate the potential for channel erosion induced by modifications (realignment and enlargement) and the potential ability of different flows to move bed and bank stabilizing material. Frequently occurring flows in Cane Creek are capable of moving sand-size material (0.0625 - 4.0 millimeters). During floods that equal or exceed the 2-year flood, Cane Creek is capable of moving very coarse gravel (32 - 64 millimeters). Boundary-shear values at bridges, where flow contractions occur, correspond to critical diameters in excess of 100 millimeters. Thus, the areas near bridges, where channel stability is most critical, are the areas where erosive power is greatest. Deepening and widening of Cane Creek has exposed large areas of channel boundary that are a significant source of raindrop-detached sediment during the early stages of a storm before stream flow increases signifi- cantly. This causes suspended-sediment concentration to peak while the flow hydrograph is just beginning to rise. For basins like Cane Creek, where runoff events commonly last less than a day and where variation in discharge and sediment concentrations are large, an estimate of sediment yield based on periodic observations of instantaneous values is subject to considerable uncertainty.

Suggested Citation

Carey, W.P., 1993, Sediment-transport characteristics of Cane Creek, Lauderdale County, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 93-4067, iv, 19 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri934067.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Sediment-transport characteristics of Cane Creek, Lauderdale County, Tennessee
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 93-4067
DOI 10.3133/wri934067
Year Published 1993
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey ; Books and Open-File Reports Section [distributor],
Description iv, 19 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
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