First Advisor

Martin Lafrenz

Date of Award

5-2017

Document Type

Paper

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.) in Geography

Department

Geography

Subjects

River sediments -- Fanno Creek (Multnomah County and Washington County Or.) -- Effect of beavers on, Urban hydrology -- Oregon -- Beaverton

DOI

10.15760/geogmaster.20

Abstract

Beaver activities can cause drastic changes to hydrogeomorphic processes by impounding waterways through the construction of dams, trapping sediments and reducing the downstream sediment load. The presence of beaver is increasing in urban areas. Urban streams exhibit hydrogeomorphic processes distinct from natural systems because of changes in land cover that alter hydrology. This case study was developed as part of an effort to understand the sedimentation patterns of a beaver impounded urban stream in Beaverton, Oregon. Twelve sediment samples were collected and processed for organic matter content and particle size and sediment depths were calculated using GIS software from data collected through bathymetric and depth-to-resistance surveys. Spatial variability of and correlations between sample composition and depth were examined through visual analysis and descriptive statistics for in-channel/floodplain and upstream/downstream comparisons. Sediment depth and organic matter were found to be highest immediately upstream of the dams and in the floodplain pond, which exhibited decreasing depth with distance downstream. Floodplain organic matter and particle sizes did not display distinct spatial patterns. Moderate correlations were identified between composition and sediment depth for both floodplain and in-channel samples. Opposite correlations were identified between organic matter and particle size for floodplain versus in-channel samples. These results provide an understanding of baseline conditions for the study area under beaver impoundment. Future research should work towards collecting more robust datasets at a variety of sites and spatial scales to understand the full spectrum of the influence of beaver in urban basins.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Comments

A research paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/23391

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