Assessing channel-forming characteristics of an impacted headwater stream in Ohio, USA

Abstract

Since the start of European settlement in Ohio the landscape has been greatly modified to accommodate anthropogenic land uses. This, in turn, has altered the hydrologic characteristics of many streams from those that are stable channel systems in dynamic equilibrium to those of modified incised channels that are more characteristic of anthropogenic influences. As stream restoration practices gain importance and prevalence there is a need to prioritize project funds based on the restoration potential of a stream. Regional curves that relate channel-forming geometry to drainage area, and applications of channel-forming discharge concepts, are tools that are used in making restoration and management decisions. Regional curves are usually developed for unmodified natural streams and/or gaged river systems and not for small, ungaged modified channels that are common throughout agricultural areas or mixed use watersheds. This study focuses on the development and potential usefulness of regional curves and channel-forming discharge concepts for Mac-o-chee Creek, a small, ungaged headwater stream system in Ohio. Results show that these approaches and a weight of evidence analysis could be useful in providing information for management and restoration decisions on these small stream systems as well as aiding in the assessment and modeling of trends within these streams with dynamic hydrologic conditions due to changes in land use/land cover.