CHARACTERIZATION OF BANKS AND SLOPE FAILURES ALONG THE SHORELINE OF LAKE SAKAKAWEA, NORTH DAKOTA, USA

In West-Central North Dakota, along the edges of Lake Sakakawea, shorelines have been studied to identify and record the number and types of slope failures that are present. In addition, slopes that appear to be at incipient failure were also noted. Geologic strength properties, hydrological conditions, and geomorphological processes determine the stability of slopes. Field research was conducted on the East shore of Government Bay, Lake Sakakawea.

Past research of Lake Sakakawea has focused on the bank processes and recession rates. Attempts were made to project recession rates into the future. Little has been studied of failures that occur as a result of these bank processes. This research becomes important for a variety of reasons. Slope stability analysis has not been conducted for most of Lake Sakakawea. The region around Lake Sakakawea is the center of a large area of infrastructure growth. The exploitation of the Bakken and Three Forks Formations has created a need for more roads, pipelines, and wellsites. As the infrastructure moves closer to Lake Sakakawea, a better understanding of the shoreline is needed.

Research consisted of a geospatial analysis incorporated with a field study. Current and historic images were analyzed using ESRI Software. Recent multispectral imagery was supplied by DigitalGlobe, Inc using the WorldView-2 sensor. Historical aerial photos of the National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) were provided by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Current recessional rates were compared to historical predictive models and recent failures were modeled for use in a future geohazard mapping research effort of the region.