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Examination, application, and evaluation of geomorphic principles and resulting water quality in Midwest agricultural streams and rivers

Powell, George Erick
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1148992105

Abstract Details

2006, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering.
This dissertation contains research designed to evaluate geomorphic principles, predominately channel-forming discharges, and their application and performance in agriculturally dominated headwater streams. Measured data were used to evaluate whether bankfull discharges were related to effective discharges for large rivers in Ohio. Effective discharges were determined by using suspended sediment data obtained at the gages, the Wolman-Miller method for calculating geomorphic work, and bin sizes based on stage intervals to group sediment and discharge data. There was good agreement between the effective discharge and bankfull discharge estimates. Recurrence intervals of the bankfull and effective discharges ranged from 0.3 to 1.4 years. These recurrence intervals are more frequent than generally reported in the literature. An approach was developed to size and modify agricultural drainage ditches in the Midwest to a two-stage geometry to maintain drainage function and capacity while increasing channel stability. Two-stage channels consist of a main channel and small floodplain (benches) within the ditch confines. The two-stage channel sizing and assessment procedure includes nine steps: 1) project identification; 2) data collection; 3) data analysis; 4) conceptual channel system sizing; 5) hydrologic evaluation; 6) project assessment; 7) design and/or final sizing; 8) construction; and 9) monitoring and assessment of performance. Several two-stage channel case studies are presented using this sizing methodology. Two-stage channels were evaluated for water quality improvements during the 2004 and 2005 growing seasons. This study quantifies the nutrient concentration reduction in two-stage channels in Ohio and Michigan. A trapezoidal channel with poor fluvial features was also monitored for reference. Water samples were analyzed for nitrate, total phosphorus, and suspended solids. Two-stage channels demonstrated generally improved water quality from the upstream sampler to the downstream sampler, though inconclusive. A redundancy analysis was performed relating the percent change of nutrient concentrations to a matrix of environmental gradients. The flooded width ratio explained the most variability of the percent change data than any other environmental gradient. Two-stage channels are a potential best management practice for agricultural headwater stream maintenance throughout the agricultural Midwest. Additional research on agricultural channels is necessary to understand and address these complex systems.
Andrew Ward (Advisor)
561 p.
Engineering, Agricultural
Geomorphology; Bankfull Discharge; Effective Discharge; Agricultural Drainage; Channel Design; Water Quality; Floodplain; Best Management Practice

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Powell, G. E. (2006). Examination, application, and evaluation of geomorphic principles and resulting water quality in Midwest agricultural streams and rivers [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1148992105

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Powell, George. Examination, application, and evaluation of geomorphic principles and resulting water quality in Midwest agricultural streams and rivers. 2006. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1148992105.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Powell, George. "Examination, application, and evaluation of geomorphic principles and resulting water quality in Midwest agricultural streams and rivers." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1148992105

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1148992105
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© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.