Degradation and Aggradation: Dorman Creek at Wolfe Park

Authors: Kate Pessarchick, Kennie Leet, Damon Potter, Stephanie Updike

SUNY Campus: SUNY Broome Community College

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 30

Timeslot: Session A 9:00-10:00 AM

Abstract: Understanding the mechanisms of degradation and aggradation of head water areas is crucial in determining necessary management, predicting erosion, and possible sediment buildup. In this study, stream widening and depth was investigated in the Wolfe Park watershed, Broome County, New York. Cross sectional profiles were constructed at two locations within the watershed. Field measurements consisted of bankfull levels, channel depth, channel gradient, and median grain size at each site. These data were used to calculate flows necessary to reach different stages. This is important as it can help determine what stage the creek would need to reach to transport sediment downstream, as well as how this may affect degradation and aggradation overtime. Bankfull flow velocities were calculated at 5.14 and 9.19 m/s, which is well within the velocity range to transport sediment at the study sites.