Influence of Dams on River-Floodplain Dynamics in the Elwha River, Washington

Abstract

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Beach morphology and change along the mixed grain-size delta of the dammed Elwha River, Washington

“…The objective of this work is to characterize rates and styles of beach change and to evaluate whether these changes have had significant effects on the resulting morphology of this shoreline. The Elwha River delta is ideal for these studies because its dams have produced well-recognized reductions in sediment supply (Randle et al, 1996;Kloehn et al, 2008). Further, the Elwha River delta shoreline has a mixed-grain size beach setting, owing to its glacial and, perhaps, sediment supply histories and is thus an important system to understand owing to the under-representation of mixed grain-size beaches in the scientific literature (Buscombe and Masselink, 2006;Holland and Elmore, 2008).…”

Quantification of Deltaic Coastal Zone Change Based on Multi-Temporal High Resolution Earth Observation Techniques

“…The geometrical correction of the aerial photographs included the ortho-rectification of each scene, initially by using a 25-m Digital Elevation Model, extracted from the contours and elevation points on topographic maps of 1:5,000 scale [14]. We used photogrammetric software for identifying tie points between each scene and control points between the scenes and the topographic map [15]. The control points had known X,Y co-ordinates, as well as elevation information.…”

Making the Case for Ecosystem Restoration by Dam Removal in the Elwha River, Washington

“…Over time, the focus will shift to changes in channel morphology due to accumulation of sediments and large woody debris, and resultant effects on creation of fish habitat, and fish restoration. In the Restore wildlife populations to ·As fluvial processes are restored to the ·Monitor ungulate use ·Movement (radiobaseline distribution and formerly regulated river sections, patterns telemetry) abundance (see Table 3) k physical and vegetative changes will ·Density effect riparian wildlife communities ·Monitor riparian ·Demographics mammals and birds (e.g., otter, mink, dipper, kingfisher) ·Human-bear encounters ·Reports to rangers from park visitors Determine effects of anadromous ·C, N, and P will accumulate in ·Determine baseline ·Research fish on trophic and nutrient floodplain and adjacent uplands nutrient cycling and structure as direct and indirect inputs from limits to net primary ·Community anadromous fish productivity composition ·Salmon carcass ·Trophic pathways will be restructured density with cascading effects throughout the ·Smolt production ecosystem ·Size distribution of resident fish ·Aquatic productivity will increase ·Nutrient budget by following dam removal for all mass balance trophic levels differencing Continued, next page Kloehn et al 2008 estuary and nearshore, the goal is for improved rearing and migratory habitat for anadromous fish, which may result in greater success for adult fish. Eventually, greater adult success should impact the river because greater numbers of fish may return to spawn.…”