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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pendleton, Oregon » Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #295743
Title: Measuring hillslope and small drainage freeze-thaw events in the Pacific Northwest: a journey from H-flumes to drop-box weirs

Author
item Williams, John
item Robertson, David - Dave

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2011
Publication Date: 10/20/2011
Citation: Williams, J.D., Robertson, D.S. 2011. Measuring hillslope and small drainage freeze-thaw events in the Pacific Northwest: a journey from H-flumes to drop-box weirs. Meeting Abstract. ASA, CSSA and SSSA Annual Meeting (San Antonio, Texas).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A defining feature of the dryland crop production in the inland Pacific Northwest is annual, multiple freeze thaw events occasionally associated with snowmelt, rainfall, or both. These events can produce substantial runoff and soil loss. Measuring overland flow and soil erosion from these events is a challenge because the field locations are not located near power sources, the events are infrequent, the magnitude of events is highly variable, the equipment freezes or is otherwise impaired due to low temperatures, and sediment loads can be high and impair equipment function. Since 1997, we have measured runoff and soil erosion from 0.05 ha fields on slopes from 2 to 6 percent, 1.43 ha hillslope with a 30 percent slope, and small drainages up to 25.2 ha with internal slopes up to 30% and a relief ratio 0.08. We determined flume or weir sizes using the SCS curve number method and the 100 yr rainfall return period. Despite an appearance of over-sizing, one event justified this decision. We began making flow measurement with H-flumes, transitioned to first to Parshall flumes and drop-box weirs, and finally settled on the drop-box weir as our instrument of choice. The main advantages of this choice were the weirs ability to deal with high sediment loads and remain relatively ice free. Our ability to record stage remained somewhat problematic, and provided sufficient fall below the weir required limited excavation. We collected suspended sediment samples using storm water samplers and after several iterations arrived at a satisfactory method for initiating sampling by using a liquid level switch installed in the approach we designed for the drop box weirs. Collecting grab samples was necessary to provide calibration to stage recordings that were subject to temperature dependent digital signal drift. Ideally, weirs, sediment samplers, stage recorders, and data loggers should be housed in heated structures.