Stream channel changes associated with mining and grazing in the Great Basin
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Authors: R. C. Sidle, and A. Sharma
Date: 1996
Journal: Journal of Environmental Quality
Volume: 25
Number: 5
Pages: 1111-1121
Summary of Methods: Stream channel characteristics were measured in 1989 and again in 1992 along a reach of Birch Creek in central Nevada to better understand how multiple land uses affect stream channel morphology. Gold mining is the main influence along the upper regions of the study reach, while the lower reach was fenced off from cattle grazing cattle in 1990 due to overgrazing. Grazing has been concentrated in the middle of the reach following riparian fencing. Baseflow width, bankfull width and thalweg depth and sediment size was measured along the study reach.
Article Summary / Main Points: Baseflow width increased in the exclosed reach from 1989 to 1992. Bankfull width increased by 1992 in the exclosure, but overall stream bankfull widths had decreased from 1989 to 1992. Thalweg depth increased in the exclosed reach over the study, but decreased in the middle part of the reach affected by grazing. All particle sizes except for the smallest and largest classes increased over the study period. It was concluded that three years is not enough time to fully see stream morophology changes following land use change. Though grazing seems to affect the stream more than mining.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 28B Central Nevada Basin And Range
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Riverbank protection
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Documented Case History
Keywords: kernel regression, exclosure, historic grazing, stream substrate, mine spoils, channel morphology
Annotation: These results could be applicable to other streams in the Great Basin with mining and grazing influences; however, the effects of mining are possibly very site specific due landscape features and different management techniques mining companies use to dispose of waste soil. The time of year when the stream surveys was not mentioned, but stream measurements were corrected for 1992 based on 1989 streamflow.
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