SEDIMENT AND EROSION ANALYSIS OF AN ANTHROPOGENICALLY STRAIGHTENED STREAM

The morphology of a stream is shaped continuously, and human activities can often interfere with this process and result in unnatural features. In particular, the straightening of a stream channel for nearby development can affect rates of erosion and deposition, and the extent of this effect is worthy of study. Prior research indicates that anthropogenically straightened streams increase in speed, resulting in more erosion of the surrounding matrix and downcutting. It is important to monitor these streams to determine the extent of erosion and deposition so that conservation efforts can be made to protect the surrounding areas. Several techniques were used to gather this information, including cross-sectional profiles of the stream done with a GNSS unit, alongside collection of stream bed sediment at various depths. This project aims to investigate the effects that straightening a local stream has had on its erosive power and bring awareness to the landowners if action needs to be taken in the future to restore the stream.