Surface-water quality and flow Modeling Interest Group
Hydraulic Modeling of In-channel Habitats in the Ozark Highlands of
Missouri: Assessment of Physical Habitat Sensitivity to Environmental
Change
by Maria S. Panfil and Robert B. Jacobson
U.S. Geological Survey
Columbia Environmental Research Center
4200 New Haven Road
Columbia, MO 65201
Internet: maria_panfil@usgs.gov,
robb_jacobson@usgs.gov
Phone: (573) 875-5399, (573) 875-5399 x1844
FAX: (573) 876-1896
Editor's note:
This article describes a habitat sesitivity assessment based in part on
two-dimensional finite element hydraulic modeling with the RMA-2 model. Only
the abstract is included below. The full text of the article may be found at
http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/rss/rfmodel/.
Citation:
Panfil, M.S., and Jacobson, R.B., 1999, Hydraulic modeling of in-channel
habitats in the Ozark Highlands of Missouri: Assessment of physical habitat
sensitivity to environmental change [online], U.S. Geological Survey,
Available: http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/rss/rfmodel/ [September 1, 1999].
Abstract
The spatial and temporal variability of stream flow challenges our ability to
inventory in-stream habitats and assess their sensitivity to environmental
changes. This document describes a method for in-stream physical habitat
inventory based on two-dimensional finite element hydraulic modeling, a
Froude number and depth based habitat classification system, and a Geographic
Information System. The approach is applied to the Ratcliff Ford reach of
the Jacks Fork River, Missouri, USA in order to assess the sensitivity of
in-stream habitats to climatically induced hydrologic variation. Modeling
results for 31 discharges (0.4-78.5 cms) are presented in three ways: as
plan-view maps of depth, velocity, Froude number, and habitat distribution;
as contour plots of bivariate distributions of depth and velocity, and as
summations of habitat abundance in wet and dry climatic regimes. Modeling
results indicate non-linear, divergent relationships between discharge and
habitat areas. Race-like conditions with intermediate Froude numbers (Fr# =
0.2-0.4) dominate channel conditions at higher discharges while pools and
glides (Fr# = 0.1-0.2) dominate channel area at lower flows. Comparisons of
habitat duration curves for wet and dry climatic regimes suggest that most of
the net loss of habitat area in dry years is accommodated at Ratcliff Ford by
a loss of race and riffle habitat. Pool and glide habitats may be less
sensitive to hydrologic variability because the canyon-like nature of the
Ratcliff Ford reach maintains deep, narrow pools over a wide range of
discharges.
Map of the Ozark Highlands, showing the study area:
Go to the
full article.
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