Greeline to Greenline Width (GGW) Non vegetated Channel width

GGW The non-vegetated distance between the greenlines on each side of the stream. The non-vegetated distance between the greenlines on each side of the stream. Using “Greenline rules” adds precision to the measurement Using “Greenline rules” adds precision to the measurement Consistent GGW measurements between observers validates the greenline rules Consistent GGW measurements between observers validates the greenline rules

Greenline-to-greenline width

Why take out the Vegetated Islands? GGW approximates the scoured, or non-vegetated width of the channel. GGW approximates the scoured, or non-vegetated width of the channel. Including islands adds width bias to the estimate. Including islands adds width bias to the estimate. Typically, we are estimating the width of the “active” channel which normally excludes vegetated bars and islands. Typically, we are estimating the width of the “active” channel which normally excludes vegetated bars and islands.

Excludes veg Includes bar A B CB A

Exclude Vegetation B

Using a Laser Range Finder Ө GGW = cos D D Ө x Measures Horizontal Distance (Accuracy -.01 meter)

Long Tom Creek GGW Upstream – light impacts- 4m wide Downstream – heavy impacts – 8 m wide 2007

Long Tom Creek - Repeatability

Long Tom - Spatial Variability Channel shape N = 125 each side alpha =.05

Conclusions - GGW Reasonably unbiased: measured data Reasonably unbiased: measured data Repeatable: Precision +- 5% Repeatable: Precision +- 5% Accurate: Alpha =.05 with sample sizes of from 50 to 100 Accurate: Alpha =.05 with sample sizes of from 50 to 100 Fast: <1 hour with laser range finder, 1.5 hours with rod Fast: <1 hour with laser range finder, 1.5 hours with rod

Streambank Stability Scour Line Streambank Uncovered/ Unstable (UU) Frame On Greenline

What are streambanks? That portion of the channel cross section: - above the scour line, and - below the lip of the first bench. Streambanks

Scour Line: The lower elevational limit of a streambank. On erosionsal banks, the scour line is the elevation of seasonal scour – often marked by undercut sod.

Scour line: On depositional banks, the scour line is the lower limit of sod-forming or perennial vegetation – or the potential lower limit of sod-forming vegetation Bank Scour line

Bank Scour line What is the streambank evaluated? Above the Scour Line and at the steepest angle to the water surface. Top of Bank – lip of first bench On erosional banks the measurement extends up to the bench or top of cutbank. On bars, it extends up to the top of the depositional feature: approximately bankfull level

The first bench is the first relatively flat area above the scour line or edge of the water First Bench Scour Line

Step 1 Depositional or Erosional? Depositional: deposited bars – Point bars, lateral bars Depositional: deposited bars – Point bars, lateral bars Erosional: all other banks Erosional: all other banks

Step 2 Covered or Uncovered Covered: at least 50% foliar cover of perennial vegetation (including roots); at least 50% cover of cobbles six inches or larger; at least 50% cover of anchored large woody debris (LWD) with a diameter of four inches or greater; Covered: at least 50% foliar cover of perennial vegetation (including roots); at least 50% cover of cobbles six inches or larger; at least 50% cover of anchored large woody debris (LWD) with a diameter of four inches or greater; Uncovered: applies to all banks that are not “Covered” as defined above. Uncovered: applies to all banks that are not “Covered” as defined above.

Erosional (E) Uncovered (U) Depositional (D) Covered (C)

Step 3 IF “Erosional”, are any of the following present…. Fracture: a visible crack is observed. The fracture has not separated into two separate components or blocks of a bank. Cracks indicate a high risk of breakdown. The fracture feature must be at least ¼ of a frame length or greater than about 13 cm of bank length. Slump: streambank that has obviously slipped down resulting in a separate block of soil/sod separated from the bank. Slough or “sluff soil material has fallen from and accumulated near the base of the bank. “Slough” typically occurs on banks that are steep and bare. Eroding: applies to banks that are bare and steep (within 10 degrees of vertical), usually located on the outside curves of meander bends in the stream.

Fracture Slumps

Depositional (D) Covered (C) Erosional (E) Uncovered (U) Slough (SL)

Trampling by large herbivores has caused obvious “slumping.” The slump is greater than one-fourth of the plot length and is recorded (S).

There is a hoofprint in the bank, but no slump or slough is associated with the hoofprint; therefore, there is no indicator of instability so covered (C) and absent (A) are recorded.

Where is the scour line? Scour line Top of bank Where is the top of the bank?

What about entrenched channels? The key: whether slough enters the stream Where is the first Bench?

Slough enters stream – at or above the angle of repose

Residual Pool and Pool Frequency

Lisle (1987) suggested a quick method for measuring pool frequency and residual depth : 1. Measure distance between depth measurements along the thalweg. 2. At thalweg depth measurements note the habitat (pool or riffle crest) 3. To compute residual depth subtract depth at riffle crests from maximum pool depth 4. The pool frequency is the number of pools per distance along the thalweg.

Pool – Riffle Sequence – Woody Creek

Potential Indicator of fish habitat quality Pools are vital components of fish habitat in streams, especially for larger fish Pools are vital components of fish habitat in streams, especially for larger fish Mossop and Bradford (2006) found a positive correlation between mean maximum residual pool depth and the density of Chinook salmon Mossop and Bradford (2006) found a positive correlation between mean maximum residual pool depth and the density of Chinook salmon

FWS – Habitat Suitability Index for Cutthroat Trout

Influenced by grazing disturbances In a review of the literature, Powell et al. (2000) concluded that channel characteristics, including channel width and depth, as well as bed material were often reported to be affected by livestock grazing in riparian areas.

Testing Repeatability Conducted 4 tests in 2009 Conducted 4 tests in 2009 Little Truckee (9 crews)Little Truckee (9 crews) SF Beaver (4 crews)SF Beaver (4 crews) Summit Creek (6 crews)Summit Creek (6 crews) Smith Creek (3 crews)Smith Creek (3 crews)

Little Truckee River Pool structure – Complex Pool structure – Complex RESIDUAL DEPTH RESIDUAL DEPTH Average Difference between observers =.01 meterAverage Difference between observers =.01 meter Maximum Difference =.13 metersMaximum Difference =.13 meters Coefficient of variation (SD/Mean) = 24%Coefficient of variation (SD/Mean) = 24% POOLS PER MILE POOLS PER MILE Average Difference between observers = 12 per mileAverage Difference between observers = 12 per mile Maximum Difference = 21 per mileMaximum Difference = 21 per mile CV = 16%CV = 16%

Smith Creek POOL STRUCTURE - simple POOL STRUCTURE - simple RESIDUAL DEPTH RESIDUAL DEPTH Average Difference between observers =.01 meterAverage Difference between observers =.01 meter Maximum Difference =.1 metersMaximum Difference =.1 meters Coefficient of variation (SD/Mean) = 11%Coefficient of variation (SD/Mean) = 11% POOLS PER MILE POOLS PER MILE Average Difference between observers = 7 per mileAverage Difference between observers = 7 per mile Maximum Difference = 10 per mileMaximum Difference = 10 per mile CV = 16%CV = 16%

Substrate Size distribution and Percent Fines

Substrate Channel instability often leads to channel widening, where the energy balance between erosion and deposition shifts toward deposition and therefore fining of the substrate (Powell et al. 2000). Channel instability often leads to channel widening, where the energy balance between erosion and deposition shifts toward deposition and therefore fining of the substrate (Powell et al. 2000). Such increases in fines may degrade aquatic habitat by restricting the living spaces of substrate-dwelling organisms and by limiting the oxygen transfer to incubating eggs (Powell et al. 2000) Such increases in fines may degrade aquatic habitat by restricting the living spaces of substrate-dwelling organisms and by limiting the oxygen transfer to incubating eggs (Powell et al. 2000)

Substrate Pebble counting is a relatively efficient way to measure substrate size distributions and percent fines Pebble counting is a relatively efficient way to measure substrate size distributions and percent fines Site variability can be problematic. Pebble counts normally detect change when relatively high magnitude impacts are evaluated. The confidence interval is 11% using 200 particles minimum per site. The confidence interval narrows with more particles. Site variability can be problematic. Pebble counts normally detect change when relatively high magnitude impacts are evaluated. The confidence interval is 11% using 200 particles minimum per site. The confidence interval narrows with more particles.

Tendancy to underestimate percent fines As noted by Bunte and Abt (2001), using different methods to sample substrate at the same location may yield different results. Thus trend over time should be based upon the same technique applied to each sampling event. As noted by Bunte and Abt (2001), using different methods to sample substrate at the same location may yield different results. Thus trend over time should be based upon the same technique applied to each sampling event.

Spatial variability Sampling the entire length of the DMA (20 channel widths) is recommended to ensure spatial variability is accounted for in the sample scheme. If not, variability through time may reflect spatial heterogeneity more than actual adjustments in substrate size distributions. Sampling the entire length of the DMA (20 channel widths) is recommended to ensure spatial variability is accounted for in the sample scheme. If not, variability through time may reflect spatial heterogeneity more than actual adjustments in substrate size distributions.

Substrate Size Distribution At 20 plot locations (200 samples) Sampled between the greenlines 10 particles per plot (cross section) selected at heel and toe across the channel from greenline to greenline – total 200 particles Can lay measuring rod across small streams to obtain sampling intervals

Small streams – use a measuring rod

Source The guidelines on bed material sampling provided by Bunte and Abt (2001) include an excellent summary of the literature and the principal base reference for this protocol. The guidelines on bed material sampling provided by Bunte and Abt (2001) include an excellent summary of the literature and the principal base reference for this protocol.

Why the Substrate Template? “Operator training is extremely important. When selecting particles from a predefined streambed location, or even when measuring particle sizes in a preselected sample of rocks, there is less variability between the results of experienced operators than between those obtained by novices. Field personnel need to be trained to perform procedures accurately, to avoid bias, and to use equipment that reduces operator induced error.” (Bunte and Abt (2001)