Variation of stream stability with stream type and livestock bank damage in northern Nevada
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Authors: T. J. Myers, and S. Swanson
Date: 1992
Journal: Water Resources Bulletin
Volume: 28
Number: 4
Pages: 743-754
Summary of Methods: Data collected on 724 stream reaches with in northern Nevada was used to access the variation of stream stability rating (SSR) indicator variables with respect to stream type and level of ungulate bank damage. The stream stability rating with 19 individual indicator variables were examined at the upper and lower channel banks and the channel bottom. Each variable was rated as excellent, good, fair, or poor.
Article Summary / Main Points: Stream type was found the most important determinant of stability for estimating potential response to livestock use of a stream reach. Vegetative bank protection, bank rock content, bottom size distribution, and clinging aquatic vegetation were the variables with the least amount of variation. Variation was reduced when upper banks, lower banks, channel bottom, and total SSR were summed. The following stream types: coarse grained, fine-grained, unstable moderate-gradient cobble-bed channel, low-gradient gravel-bed and sand-bed channel were found most sensitive to ungulate bank damage whereas boulder and cobble channel, stable moderate gradient stream types were less sensitive. Grazing did not worsen the conditions of unstable moderate-gradient gravel channel. The indicator rock angularity does not influence stream stability and therefore should be removed. Scouring and deposition should be separated since streams rarely scours and deposits in the same short reach. Stream type can and should be used as the tool for comparing reaches along a stream or within a watershed or other management unit and when developing management plans.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 24 Humboldt Area 26 Carson Basin and Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Rivers
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: livestock grazing impact, stream stability, sediment supply, riparian vegetation, aquatic ecosystems, watershed management, wildland hydrology, nonpoint source pollution
Annotation: The results from this replicated study are applicable across all riparian areas. They make the critical link that stream type variable in SSR used to predict streambank stability in response to grazing management. Myers and Swanson (1991, Water Resour Bull 27:667-677) related Aquatic Habitat Condition Index to stream type, bank stability and damage and found that stream type was very important in how susceptible a stream was to streambank damage in relation to fisheries. This article is available in the RSIS database.
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