Project Number: 6408-13000-018-13
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: May 01, 2004
End Date: Apr 30, 2009

Objective:
Improve current understanding and characterization of the rates of sediment transport and substrate composition in Mississippi with the purpose of defining "reference"/background and impacted conditions. Utilize a methodology tested successfully in the Mid South to determine "departure" from stable sediment-transport conditions for a diverse range of phyisiographic, and ecological conditions in Mississippi.

Approach:
Historical flow and sediment-transport data from sites across Mississippi and the Mid South will be used to develop sediment-transport rating relations for each site and substrate composition parameters. Effective and annual sediment loads will be sorted by Level III ecoregion, river basin, and sub-basins providing a range of values for each. Rapid geomorphic assessments at each site will determine the relative stability of stream, provide substrate sampling, and bed slope and bank elevation of bankfull stage. These data will be used to study the likelihood that rates of bed erosion or deposition exceed background rates, to differentiate "reference" from impacted sites, and provide an analytic framework for estimating conditions at the bankfull discharge. Where necessary and designated by MDEQ, numerical modeling of upland processes using AnnAGNPS and channel processes using CONCEPTS will be used to determine sediment source areas and test watershed and in-stream BMPs.