Regionalization of Channel Geomorphology Characteristics for Streams of New York State, Excluding Long Island

 

 

Problem - Geomorphologic techniques for stream channel and bank restoration are fast becoming the techniques of choice among federal, state, county, and local agencies to reduce suspended sediment loads, reduce flood damage, improve aquatic habitat, and generally stabilize stream channels. One reason for this upswing in use is that appropriate application of these techniques has been shown to reduce the need for repetitive visits to a reach to remove sediments or repair stream banks, and thus reduce long-term channel maintenance expenses. Geomorphologic restoration projects require data that define what a stable stream channel should look like in a given region. Regional hydrologic curves and regional channel-geomorphologic characteristics are critical data needed to design geomorphologic restoration projects. These regional data have not been compiled or analyzed for New York. This project will begin to address this information gap.

Objectives - The primary objective of this project is to develop regional hydrologic curves and regional channel-geomorphologic characteristics at bankfull discharge by hydro-physiographic region and by Rosgen stream type for streams of New York State. These data will be used to confirm bankfull hydraulic-geometry characteristics at ungaged reference streams and verify designs for stream-channel restoration projects. The project is a collaboration between the United States Geological Survey (USGS), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and other interested agencies. An advisory committee reviews work and helps determine strategies to best implement collaborative efforts.

Products for this study will include protocols for collection and interpretation of data, summaries of channel-geometry and hydrologic data for selected sites, and regional channel-geomorphologic characteristics for each hydro-physiographic region.