Minnesota Water Resources Conference - Water Resources Center ...

BOOK OF ABSTRACTS
Tuesday, Monday, October 27 23
Concurrent Sessions III 3:15–4:45
Track D: Sediment Loading, continued
Quantifying Erosion Rates from Stream Banks, Bluffs and Ravines in the Minnesota River Basin
John Nieber, University of Minnesota, nieber@umn.edu; Brad Hansen, University of Minnesota; Chris Lenhart, University of
Minnesota; Jason Ulrich, University of Minnesota; Geoff Kramer, University of Minnesota; Zuzana Kunesova, University of
Minnesota; David Mulla, University of Minnesota; Shannon Wing, University of Minnesota; and oel Nelson, University of
Minnesota
The Lake Pepin TMDL targets the Minnesota River basin as its major sediment producing source. The lack of
data defining potential sediment sources and loads has inhibited the HSPF modeling effort of the Lake Pepin
TMDL. The University of Minnesota is conducting a study to determine the contribution of ravine, stream
bluff and streambank erosion to the sediment load of the Minnesota River. MPCA desires to have preliminary
independent estimates of sediment delivery from these erosional features for use in the HSPF model.
To estimate sediment loading from these sediment sources a number of different methodologies are being used
or developed including: 1) GIS methodology to identify quantities and locations of ravines and stream bluffs;
2) aerial photography to quantify historic channel migration rates; 3) monitoring runoff and sediment loads
at ravine outlets; 4) cross-sectional ravine surveys and surveys of stream banks; and 5) modeling of sediment
production and transport with the CONCEPTS model.
This presentation will cover a discussion of the different methodologies and present some up-to-date results.
35 Minnesota Water Resources Conference, October 27–28, 2008