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U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Scientific Investigations Report 2007–5178

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Future Research

U.S. Forest Service observations suggest that earthflows are the predominant source for persistent turbidity in the North Santiam River basin (Douglas Shank, U.S. Forest Service, oral commun., 2004; David Klug, U.S. Forest Service, oral commun., 2005). Earthflow movement and clay-rich sediment contribution to streams also have been documented in previous Western Cascades studies (Swanson and Swanston, 1977; Bates and others, 1998; Pearch, 2000; Hulse and others, 2002). To build on this research, it would be beneficial to study earthflow movement and sedimentation in the North Santiam River basin. Because geomorphologic and meteorological conditions can differ greatly among basins in the Western Cascades, monitoring turbidity is important for understanding the influence of these factors on persistent turbidity. Additional turbidity monitoring downstream of suspected sediment sources may support inferences drawn to date from existing data. The additional data also will help identify currently unknown sources of sediment and persistent turbidity in the North Santiam River basin. Such information will help resource managers determine whether earthflows are the primary contributor of persistent turbidity or if other landscape features, changes, and uses are the cause of clay loads to the North Santiam River.

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