Sediment budget for the Upper Mississippi River

S. M. Gardarsson*, T. R. Grindeland, J. B. Bradley

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

A system of locks and dams to improve navigation was constructed along the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) about 60 years ago. The system has influenced the physical and ecological characteristics of the river in many ways. One of the most significant influences of the system has been its effect on sediment transport along the river. Altered sediment transport conditions are evident both as system-wide and localized impacts. A sediment budget encompassing about 670 km of the UMR was developed to quantify the sediment transport conditions within the lock and dam system (Pools 11 to 26). The magnitude of major sources and sinks of sediment within the system were quantified. By combining the results of the sediment budget with data derived from the analysis of historic fiver plan form information, an estimate of sedimentation rates within the backwater areas of the navigation pools was obtained.

Original languageEnglish
Pages1416-1421
Number of pages6
Publication statusPublished - 1998
EventProceedings of the 1998 International Water Resources Engineering Conference. Part 2 (of 2) - Memphis, TN, USA
Duration: 3 Aug 19987 Aug 1998

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of the 1998 International Water Resources Engineering Conference. Part 2 (of 2)
CityMemphis, TN, USA
Period3/08/987/08/98

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