Major sediment sources and limits to the effectiveness of erosion control techniques in the highly erosive watersheds of north coastal California
Kelsey HM, Madej MA, Pitlick J, Stroud P, Coghlan MC. 1981. Major sediment sources and limits to the effectiveness of erosion control techniques in the highly erosive watersheds of north coastal California. Pages 493-509. In Davies TH and Pearce AJ: Proceedings, 1981 Symposium of Erosion and Sediment Transport in Pacific Rim Steeplands. Christchurch, New Zealand. January 25-31, 1981. International Association of Hydrological Sciences. Washington, DC
This paper describes watersheds in steep lands of northern California, and processes associated with sediment movement. It also outlines the erosion-control program underway at Redwood National Park, and the techniques being used. 'Our contention is that no matter what level of technological expertise or expense is devoted to control erosion in highly modified drainage basins in northern California, there is a limit to effectiveness. The limit it set by the physical processes that move sediment.' The paper discusses the importance of sediment routing, and need for data on source areas, timing of transport, amount of sediment stored in the channel, rate of erosion on hillslopes. Such detailed documentation allows assessing success of erosion control at various locations in the basin. The authors conclude that proper land management and prevention of excess sediment in the streams is far better than trying to treat problems.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Kelsey, Harvey; Madej, Mary; Pitlick, John; Stroud, Peter; Coghlan, Michael
- Units
- REDW
- Keywords
- Erosion Control, Physical Sciences, Presence (Biodiversity), Redwood Creek Basin, sediment sources, Stabilization, Taxa Links To References