CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Baxter, S.; Ferencevic, M.; and Ashmore, P.
Date : 2005.
Title : Geomorphic assessment of channel stability using stream power.
Publication : Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Geographer. Tuesday, May 31 to Saturday, to June 4, 2005. University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
Geomorphic assessments of stream channel stability are often based on field reconnaissance, interpretation and simple checklists of features. There is a need for rapid quantitative assessment of entire stream systems that can be derived from minimal information but is based on physical principles. Mapping of downstream patterns of stream power provides a simple approach to this problem. This research develops this approach and applies it to examples in southern Ontario where stream channel incision is a result of downcutting into cohesive glacial sediments and a common response to urbanization of small watersheds. Many of these streams in southern Ontario have convex longitudinal profiles with stream power maxima near the downstream end of the system. Application of a stream-power based erosion threshold to the channel boundary material provides a rough analysis of the potentially erodible or incising reaches but this requires reconnaissance information on boundary materials. Implementing stream power analysis in a GIS can be used to identify reaches with excess stream power and thus consists of a simple assessment of potential channel stability within a watershed. Incorporating stream power analysis and erosion thresholds will provide a practical watershed-scale method for assessing channel change based on a variety of land-use scenarios.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology