59 Recent Advances in Geomorphology, from the Mountains to the Coast (Posters)

Sunday, 25 September 2016
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Exhibit Hall E/F

HISTORY OF HUMAN MODIFICATIONS ON BIG BARREN CREEK, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Paper number: 59-31
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Authors

Abstract

This study investigates the history of channelization and its effects on channel conditions in Big Barren Creek. The Big Barren watershed drains 191 km2 of the Ozark Highlands in southeast Missouri. Several segments of the creek have been channelized by levee construction and gravel mining. The objectives of this study are to: (1) use historical aerial photography to assess the timing and spatial distribution of channel disturbance and (2) evaluate the influence of both private and public land management practices on geomorphic stability of Big Barren Creek. Approximately 27.2 km of the main stem of Barren Creek were assessed for 11 photo-years ranging from 1930 to 2014. Channel width and bar deposition were used to evaluate channel morphology. In segments where channelization and levee construction was common, channel width has increased by up to four times that of the undisturbed condition. While 43% of the creek is under Forest Service management, 57% is managed for hay pasture/grazing by private landowners. Of the disturbed sections of the channel, 80% is on private lands. Further, of the remaining unstable channels on public land, approximately 14% is related to head-cuts and sediment pulses generated by private activities. Composing about 6% of the disturbed channel length along Big Barren Creek, public land disturbances are generated by road drainage, bridge crossings, and natural bluff obstacles.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, No. 7

doi: 10.1130/abs/2016AM-285155

© Copyright 2016 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.