INVESTIGATION OF THE HYDROLOGY, FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY, AND SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IN THE LAKE THUNDERBIRD WATERSHED IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

As human population continues to rise, an ever increasing burden is being placed on earth’s water resources. Between 1950 and 2010, the world’s population increased from 2.6 billion to almost 7 billion, and the population of the United States increased from 150 million to 310 million, while available water resources have remained constant. The 2050 worldwide population is projected at over 9 billion and the population of the United States is projected at 400 million. The increasing demand, and the uncertainty of the impacts that climate change will have on available water resources, make it increasingly important that society more effectively manage our water resources in a sustainable fashion. One of the many issues that must be addressed is sedimentation of reservoirs. The World Commission on Dams reports that “25% of the world’s existing fresh water storage capacity may be lost in the next 25 to 50 years in the absence of measures to control sedimentation.” In 2010, the Oklahoma Water Research Advisory Board (OWRAB) identified development of methods for estimating sediment yield in reservoirs as a “higher priority research topic”, and others stress the need for further research on streambank and gully erosion as part of managing reservoir sedimentation. This study initiated the process of assessing the suspended sediment transport occurring in the Little River and other tributaries to Lake Thunderbird, which is the primary source of drinking water for approximately 200,000 people residing in Norman, Midwest City, and Del City, in central Oklahoma, and provides numerous and valuable recreation benefits. The study documented the current hydrological and morphological characteristics of the watershed and evaluated the use of an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) for measuring sediment transport in small rivers. Documentation of the hydrology within the watershed was accomplished using HOBO pressure transducers installed at seven locations, site surveys, and discharge measurements to generate discharge rating curves. Rating curves were used to estimate cumulative runoff for the watershed during the period of study, which occurred during a drought, and to assess the effects of antecedent conditions on runoff volume. The morphological characteristics of the watershed were documented by conducting fluvial geomorphological (FGM) surveys at 25 sites. Each of the sites was classified using Rosgen’s classification system and Simon’s Channel Evolution Model, and scored using various bank stability indices (BSIs). The channels at the sites were found to be predominantly type G5c channels, at Stage IV of the channel evolutionary process, and were mostly rated as unstable to highly unstable by all of the BSIs used in the study, although additional work is required to validate the individual BSI scores. The study provides a base-line for future studies on the hydrology and the changing morphology of the channels within the watershed, which are required to better understand the sedimentation of Lake Thunderbird. The ADCP was evaluated by comparing sediment flux curves generated using a Teledyne RDI 600 kHz Workhorse Rio Grande ADCP, coupled with Aqua Vision’s ViSea Plume Detection Toolbox (PDT) software, to curves generated using traditional grab, and depth-integrated suspended sediment sampling methods. Data from this study show no statistical difference between flux curves developed using grab samples, depth-integrated samples, or ADCP/PDT methods. Data were only obtained from two sites however, and the number of samples was limited at one of them, so additional study is required to validate the use of ADCPs for estimating suspended sediment transport in small rivers

A phenomenological study : the experience of women veterans in transition and adaptation to higher education

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the transition and adaptation of full-time, baccalaureate, degree-seeking female military students at colleges and universities in North Carolina that offer the Yellow Ribbon Program.Schlossberg’s Transition Theory (2011) was used as the theoretical framework to seek information regarding each woman veteran’s experience. Individual interviews were conducted, a journal was kept, and a review of websites for institutions in North Carolina that offer the Yellow Ribbon Program was performed. Credibility, dependability, and transferability of the results were sought through member checks, peer debriefing, and external audits.Conclusions showed most women veterans are non-traditional students that are not easily identified on campus. Some do not identify with being a veteran but do affiliate with men more than women. In addition, some women veterans seek educational opportunities in military towns due to familiarity and comfort. Many women veterans are anxious to earn their degrees and begin new careers. Therefore, the location and program delivery are important to them. Moreover, supportive staff, faculty, as well as the need for organizations and space is important to some of the woman

Reservoir Sedimentation and Upstream Sediment Sources: Perspectives and Future Research Needs on Streambank and Gully Erosion

Citation: Fox, G.A., Sheshukov, A., Cruse, R. et al. Environmental Management (2016) 57: 945. doi:10.1007/s00267-016-0671-9The future reliance on water supply and flood control reservoirs across the globe will continue to expand, especially under a variable climate. As the inventory of new potential dam sites is shrinking, construction of additional reservoirs is less likely compared to simultaneous flow and sediment management in existing reservoirs. One aspect of this sediment management is related to the control of upstream sediment sources. However, key research questions remain regarding upstream sediment loading rates. Highlighted in this article are research needs relative to measuring and predicting sediment transport rates and loading due to streambank and gully erosion within a watershed. For example, additional instream sediment transport and reservoir sedimentation rate measurements are needed across a range of watershed conditions, reservoir sizes, and geographical locations. More research is needed to understand the intricate linkage between upland practices and instream response. A need still exists to clarify the benefit of restoration or stabilization of a small reach within a channel system or maturing gully on total watershed sediment load. We need to better understand the intricate interactions between hydrological and erosion processes to improve prediction, location, and timing of streambank erosion and failure and gully formation. Also, improved process-based measurement and prediction techniques are needed that balance data requirements regarding cohesive soil erodibility and stability as compared to simpler topographic indices for gullies or stream classification systems. Such techniques will allow the research community to address the benefit of various conservation and/or stabilization practices at targeted locations within watersheds

Riparian area: Management handbook

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311