Geomorphic Reference Reach Data for the Kalamazoo River Basin, Michigan Area of Concern
Dates
Publication Date
2023-04-25
Citation
Vaughan, A.A., Fitzpatrick, F.A., and Strange, J.M., 2023, River Morphology Reference Reach Data for the Kalamazoo River Basin, Michigan Area of Concern: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P96JBHF4.
Summary
The Kalamazoo River Area of Concern (AOC) in Michigan has multiple dams in various stages of removal. Following dam removal, river restoration activities will occur in impacted reaches. Hydrogeomorphic data from relatively undisturbed and hydraulically stable river reaches are commonly used to inform the design parameters of river restoration projects. Reference reaches should be selected that operate under similar prevailing boundary conditions as target restoration reaches, including water and sediment regime, valley and channel slope, valley confinement, bank heights, and riparian vegetation. The datasets contained in this data release represent the results of a geomorphic assessment of the Kalamazoo River to identify and characterize [...]
Summary
The Kalamazoo River Area of Concern (AOC) in Michigan has multiple dams in various stages of removal. Following dam removal, river restoration activities will occur in impacted reaches. Hydrogeomorphic data from relatively undisturbed and hydraulically stable river reaches are commonly used to inform the design parameters of river restoration projects. Reference reaches should be selected that operate under similar prevailing boundary conditions as target restoration reaches, including water and sediment regime, valley and channel slope, valley confinement, bank heights, and riparian vegetation. The datasets contained in this data release represent the results of a geomorphic assessment of the Kalamazoo River to identify and characterize reference reaches that are applicable analogues for dam removal and restoration sites in various channel and valley settings along the Kalamazoo River from the city of Kalamazoo downstream through the towns of Plainwell and Allegan. The reference reach data include a digital elevation model, channel and floodplain cross-sections, a longitudinal profile, mapped hydrogeomorphic units and large woody debris, and substrate size data. Reference reaches are nested as separate child items on this page. As of early 2023, one reference reach has been published (Kalamazoo River Upstream of Plainwell, MI) and several more are in progress and will be added to this page when completed.
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Purpose
The purpose of the reference reach data is to help inform the planned and previous dam removals and other river restoration activities by developing channel criteria that meet stakeholder’s priorities for fish passage, channel stability, and hydrologic connectivity within the river/floodplain system. These datasets will eventually be expanded to create a library of publicly available reference reaches spanning a range of natural geomorphic settings within the river system.
