A LiDAR-Based Analysis of Stream Channel Cross Section Change Across an Urban–Rural Land-Use Boundary*

Abstract

Little is known about the downstream propagation of stream channel alterations initiated by urban flow regimes. In this study, freely available Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data were combined with ground survey data to derive information on changes in stream cross sections in a North Carolina watershed, moving downstream across an urban-to-rural land-use boundary. Regression analyses relating LiDAR model and ground survey data exhibit poor relationships for all channel morphometric measurements except reach-average channel capacity. Application of the channel capacity regression reveals a negative power function pattern of downstream decline in channel enlargement. The largest declines occur before streams enter the rural landscape, with more gradual declines afterward. The largest declines in channel size might be attributable to reservoir effects along reaches with wide floodplains. Model results indicate no discernible enlargement once rural land covers and percentage impervious areas of about 60 percent and 16 percent of watershed area, respectively, are reached.