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Benefits from continuing this project

soil map

Soil map of the Burtis Point Reach

    Land development, agricultural, and environmental projects in the Owasco Lake Watershed have changed the dimension, pattern, and profile of Watershed tributaries without first developing a firm understanding of how these geomorphological values should be arranged to promote a "natural" state.
    Before beginning work on a stream project, these questions should be answered:
  • In this watershed, what are the stream characteristics of a naturally stable channel?
  • How do these characteristics vary by different tributaries and tributary reaches?   Rosgen, 1996, p. 1-4.
        Stream form and structure, as defined by the yardstick of a level II assessment, provides us with an understanding of the stream's basic physical pattern. A level III assessment of stream condition results in a description of stream stability, potential, and function.
        Detailed reach-specific observations that measure the correct variables can provide a basis to answer questions such as:
  • "Is this channel reach stable?"

    stream sediment budget
    Stream reaches should be evaluated for stability prior to developing a restoration plan

  • "What restoration activity would best promote channel stability?"
  • "What model is the most appropriate to predict hydrological processes for a given tributary or watershed?" "How can I adjust the model to make it work?"   Rosgen, 1996, p. 7-1.
        Land use regulations, livestock grazing management, habitat improvement structures, and stream restoration activities would benefit from a complete (Levels I-IV) stream classification effort.

         A completed stream assessment:
    1. Enables more precise estimates of measurable water flow relationships associated with specific stream and valley forms and structures.
    2. Establishes guidelines for selecting stable stream types for a range of dimensions, patterns, and profiles that are in balance with the stream's valley slope, valley confinement, depositional materials, stream flow, and the sediment regime of the watershed.
    3. Provides relationships for use in the equations needed for restoration design.

    rating curve


    4. Develops a series of meander relationships that are uniquely related to stream types and their bankfull dimensions.

    meander diagrams
    5. Identifies the stable characteristics for a given stream type.  Rosgen, 1996, p. 8-31.

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