Stream Channel Enlargement Response to Urban Land Cover in Small Coastal Plain Watersheds, North Carolina

Abstract

Stream channel response to urban land use has not been well documented for southeastern Coastal Plain streams. In this study, urban channel response was evaluated in small Inner Coastal Plain watersheds (<5 km2) in eastern North Carolina. Reaches were selected across a range of watershed total impervious area (0-67% TIA). Channel dimensions and sediment grain size data were collected along 20 urban (>10% TIA) and 20 rural reaches (<10% TIA), and at 10 stormwater outfall sites (180 cross-sections). Urban cross-sectional area, channel incision ratio, and channel grain size (gravel%, D50, and D84) were greater, relative to rural channels. Bankfull cross-sectional areas were approximately 1.78 times greater for urban watersheds than for rural watersheds. Channels in urban watersheds were incised and had median full-channel capacities approximately 3.4 times greater than channels draining rural watersheds. Watershed TIA explained 65-72% of channel capacity enlargement. Urban expansion in the region began in the 1960s, with major urbanization occurring over the last 25 years. Channels draining urban watersheds are still responding to this land use change by downcutting and widening. Urban channel incision has frequently cut off streams from their floodplains, reducing floodplain sediment retention and water quality functions.