Geomorphic applications of stream‐gage information

Abstract

In the United States, several thousand stream gages provide what typically is the only source of continuous, long-term streamflow and channel-geometry information for the locations being monitored. In this paper, the geomorphic content of stream-gage information, previous and potential applications of stream-gage information in fluvial geomorphic research and various possible limitations are described. Documented applications include studies of hydraulic geometry, channel bankfull characteristics, sediment transport and channel geomorphic response to various types of disturbance. Potential applications include studies to determine the geomorphic effectiveness of large floods and in-stream habitat change in response to disturbance. For certain applications, various spatial, temporal and data limitations may render the stream-gage information of limited use; however, such information often is of considerable value to enable or enhance geomorphic investigations.

Quantifying river form variations in the Mississippi Basin using remotely sensed imagery

“…Long-term mean annual discharge is also commonly used to study fluvial processes (Leopold and Maddock, 1953;Griffiths, 1980;Molnar and Ramirez, 2002), and comparison of DHG exponents from a range of flow frequencies shows relatively minor variation (Knighton, 1974;Griffiths, 1980;Ibbitt, 1997). Repeated width, depth, and velocity measurements from the USGS at gauging stations throughout the Mississippi Basin are available online (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/NWIS; Juracek and Fitzpatrick, 2009). Although unpublished, these data have been used in investigations of channel geometry (Bowen and Juracek, 2011;Stover and Montgomery, 2001).…”

Channel-conveyance capacity, channel change, and sediment transport in the lower Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers, western Washington

“…This quality control facilitates the analysis of longterm data sets and comparison of temporal trends measured by the same gaging station as well as comparison between gaging stations. Analyzing gaging-station data through time allows the quantification of geomorphic trends in channel elevation, channel-conveyance capacity, and stage (Juracek and Fitzpatrick, 2009). For example, Prych (1988) analyzed data from USGS gaging stations on the Puyallup and White Rivers to infer trends in aggradation and incision since the early 1900s.…”

Geomorphic response of the North Fork Stillaguamish River to the State Route 530 landslide near Oso, Washington

“…Specific gage analysis uses changing relations between stage and discharge to assess vertical changes in the channel bed (Juracek and Fitzpatrick, 2009;East and others, 2015). Specific gage analysis requires independent measurements of stage and discharge at a location over time.…”