Abstract
Urbanization typically results in increased imperviousness which alters suspended sediment yield and impacts geomorphic and ecological processes within urban streams. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in the ability to predict suspended sediment yield. This study assesses the combined impact of urban development and increased precipitation on suspended sediment yield in the Cuyahoga River using statistical modeling. Historical satellite-based land-cover data was combined with precipitation and suspended sediment yield data to create a Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) model for the Cuyahoga watershed. An R2 value of 0.71 was obtained for the comparison between the observed and predicted results based on limited land-use and land-cover data. The model also shows that every 1 mm increase in the mean annual precipitation has the potential to increase the mean annual suspended sediment yield by 860 tons/day. Further, a 1 km2 increase in developed land area has the potential to increase mean annual suspended sediment yield by 0.9 tons/day. The framework proposed in this study provides decision makers with a measure for assessing the potential impacts of future development and climate alteration on water quality in the watershed and implications for stream stability, dam and flood management, and in-stream and near-stream infrastructure life.
Highlights
As the population living near natural waters increases, there is an increased global interest in water security and the impacts of development on water resource quantity and quality
The relation between thoseimportant variables factors influencing the suspended sediment yield in a watershed. The relation between those is site specific and important for watershed managers, as it provides them with a tool to predict variablesimpacts is site specific important forevaluate watershed managers, as it provides them with dam a tool to potential to waterand quality and possible implications for stream stability, and predict potential impacts to water quality and evaluate possible implications for stream stability, flood management, and in-stream and near-stream infrastructure life
A statistical model was developed to find the relation between measured mean annual precipitation, land development and measured mean annual suspended sediment yield
Summary
As the population living near natural waters increases, there is an increased global interest in water security and the impacts of development on water resource quantity and quality. In contrast to existing models for estimating suspended sediment yield, this study introduces a new framework for suspended sediment yield estimation by combining remote sensing techniques with limited historical data to establish and quantify the combined effect of land development and precipitation on suspended sediment yield in the Cuyahoga Watershed. This unique approach simplifies the process of suspended sediment yield estimation by taking advantage of readily available historical satellite image and precipitation data. The outcome of this research provides decision makers with a means for assessing the impacts of future development and climate alteration on stream total suspended solids (TSS) for a given watershed, as well as implications for stream stability, fluvial infrastructure stainability, and flood management
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
