Use of Stream Power as a Tool for the Detection of Critical Reaches in Channeled Streams

Abstract

AbstractIn the present work, an analysis of stream power is performed with the objective of evaluate its efficiency for detection of critical reach in channeled streams. The study case selected was the Aburrá River located in Colombia where the dataset of discharges, widths and friction slopes are available thanks to the network of environmental monitoring of the hydrographic basin “RED RIO.” Initially, the total stream power per unit length of the channel and the unit stream power per unit width were estimated for six location in the channeled reach of Aburrá River, finding that the maximum stream power is located on the upstream cross section. In addition, it was used the criterion of the Task Force Stream Power of United States Department of Agriculture for reclass the unit stream power and to find the reaches with risk of erosion and aggradation (Deposition). Finally, the classification obtained with the criterion of the Task Force Stream Power was compared against a personal photographic record that the author built over four years in the different analysis sites, finding that the active process in the six sites correspond to predicted with the criterion of unit stream power, therefore, the use of stream power as a tool for the detection of critical reaches and schedule your preventive maintenance in channeled streams is recommended.KeywordsStream powerCritical reachesAburrá River