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Problem Statement:
One of the primary sources of sediment in streams and rivers
is erosion of streambanks. In fact,
as much as 80% of the sediment entering streams in some agricultural
watersheds originate from the stream bank. Stream flow is generally the
only mechanism considered in stream bank erosion. However, in some areas,
ground water flow (either through actual exfiltration,
a process known as seepage or through removal of negative soil pore-water
pressure) can accelerate stream bank erosion. Limited information exists
about the role of ground water flow in the erosion of stream bank sediment
even though this type of erosion occurs in numerous geographical settings.
Our research is implementing field measurements, laboratory experiments,
and conceptual/numerical modeling to quantify and model erosion by
subsurface flow, specifically seepage erosion at this time.
Current Research
Progress
PowerPoint Summary –
2008 USDA National Water Conference
Current Funding Support:
QUANTIFYING THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBSURFACE
FLOW INDUCED EROSION ON SEDIMENT LOAD TO STREAMS
Research supported
by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, National Research Initiative Grant, under Award
No. 2005-35102-17209.
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