Temporal river channel changes in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, Arizona, USA

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

ARTHUN, D.

Bureau of Land Management, AZ, Safford, Etats-Unis

ZAIMES, G.N.

Dep. of Forestry and Natural Environment Management, Lab. of management and Control of Mountainous Waters, Kavala Inst. of Technology, Drama, Grece

MARTIN, J.

Dudek Engineering and Environmental, CA, Encinitas, Etats-Unis

Description :
This study investigated temporal change in the channel form and sinuosity of the Gila River in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area. Specifically, cross sections were measured in 1994, 2001, and 2008 to evaluate changes in channel form. Aerial photographs between 1935 and 2007 were also compared to assess changes in channel sinuosity. Based on cross-sectional measurements, the thalweg was significantly deeper in 1994 than in 2001 and 2008, while width-depth ratios were significantly lower in 2008 than in 1994 and 2001. These measurements indicate that the channel is stabilizing. Overall, climate patterns that cause large flood events appear to have been the major influence on the channel form. The stream channel appears to have been more resilient to the impacts of the flood in 2005, when vegetation was better established, than to the flood of 1993, when past management influences were still lingering.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Physical geography, issn : 0272-3646, 2013, vol. 34, n°. 1, p. 60-73, nombre de pages : 14, Références bibliographiques : 2 p.

Date :
2013

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Abingdon, Taylor and Francis

Langue :
Anglais