Record Details
Variations in gravel bed composition of small streams in the Oregon Coast Range
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Variations in gravel bed composition of small streams in the Oregon Coast Range |
| Names |
Adams, James Neal
(creator) Beschta, Robert L. (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1979-05-29 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1980 |
| Abstract | A study of the temporal and spatial variability of stream gravel bed composition and the factors affecting the amount of fine sediment within the bed was conducted in the streams of the Oregon Coast Range. Streambed samples were obtained by frozen core techniques and the amount of sediment smaller than 1.0 mm in diameter was expressed as a percentage by weight of the total sample. The amount of fine sediment in stream gravel beds was found to be highly variable in time and space. Temporal variability in percent fines was caused by flushing of fines from the gravel beds during high streamfiow events. This flushing of fine sediment seemed to occur randomly during winter freshets. Seven of 13 total streambed sample locations on five small streams showed trends of decreasing amounts of fine sediment during the winter high streamflow season. The percent fines within the stream bed was also found to display large variation (a) between streams, (b) between locations in the same stream, and (c) between locations in the same riff 1. Bed samples were collected on 21 watersheds in the Coast Range during the summer of 1978. The amount of fine sediment averaged 19.4% and ranged from 10.6% to 29.4%. Comparisons between locations on the same stream showed bed composition to be highly variable. Approximately 75% of the bed composition comparisons were significantly different at the 95% confidence level. One gravel bed was sampled on a 1.2 by 1.2 m grid design and significant (95% confidence level) changes in percent fines were found to exist both perpendicular and parallel to the stréamflow in this small area of the stream. Regression analysis on the samples collected on the 21 streams indicated that the amount of fine sediment in the bed is influenced by the slope, area, relief, and land use characteristics of the watershed. Within a single stream, however, regression analysis indicated that gravel bed composition was dependent on sinuosity and ankful1 stage. These two variables suggest that the intrusion of fines into the stream bed is influenced locally by hydraulic conditions within the channel. Regression analysis and field observations suggest that the amount of fine sediment in stream gravel beds might be increased by road construction and logging operations. However, increases in levels of bed fines after disturbance should be temporary due to the flushing of fines with high flows. |
| Genre | Thesis |
| Topic | Bed sediments |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/9168 |
