Climatic impacts on erosion and sediment transport in urbanizing watersheds as evidenced by increased sedimentation rates in Winton Lake, southwestern Ohio
- Miami Univ., Oxford, OH (United States). Dept. of Geology
Climate is often considered to be a constant in the relation between sediment yield and land use. Thus, high erosion and sediment transport rates that accompany periods of urbanization are often reflected in correspondingly high rates of sedimentation in the urban lakes that drain these watersheds. Winton Lake was built for flood control in 1952. The Winton Lake watershed, drains an 80km[sup 2] area that experienced rapid construction during the 1950's through 1960's while lake sedimentation occurred at an average rate of 2.7 [times] 10[sup 4]m[sup 3]/yr. However, in-lake sedimentation surveys by previous workers reveal no clear correspondence between average sedimentation rate and construction activity as defined by changing land use. Integration of stream sediment concentrations suggest that only larger storms generate significant amounts of sediment. Analysis of climate records for nearby stations indicate that if the number of large (> 60mm/24hours) storm events, is considered, then the sedimentation data show a variability that manifests a response to both climate and changing land use. The regional importance of considering changes in precipitation patterns as a variable in erosion and sedimentation is clearly expressed by the results of preliminary analyses of several thousand station-records within the Midwest on maximum stream flow, sediment yield, and precipitation, which demonstrate that changes in the seasonality and sizes of storm events occur on time scales that can exert considerable influence on sedimentation rates in lakes. Due to climate variability and concomitant impacts on sedimentation rates, climatic study is required for effective lake management. However, direct climatic impacts have not been resolved due to the nature of sediment storage lag time in the sediment transport system.
- OSTI ID:
- 5853397
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-921058-; CODEN: GAAPBC
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Vol. 24:7; Conference: 1992 annual meeting of the Geological Society of America (GSA), Cincinnati, OH (United States), 26-29 Oct 1992; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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LAKES
SEDIMENTATION
OHIO
WATERSHEDS
EROSION
CLIMATES
LAND USE
POPULATION DENSITY
SEDIMENTS
STORMS
URBAN AREAS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISASTERS
NORTH AMERICA
SURFACE WATERS
USA
540250* - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (1990-)
540350 - Environment
Aquatic- Site Resource & Use Studies- (1990-)