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• 1. [Article] Sedimentologic changes in the deposits of an evolving lahar-flood in 2006, Hood River Basin, Mount Hood, Oregon

  Over a span of six days from November 2nd -- 7th, 2006 approximately 43 cm of precipitation fell over the Hood River Basin in Oregon. A lahar was initiated on the Eliot Branch of the Middle Fork Hood River ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Sedimentologic changes in the deposits of an evolving lahar-flood in 2006, Hood River Basin, Mount Hood, Oregon Author: Poole, Matthew Ray Year: 2016 Over a span of six days from November 2nd -- 7th, 2006 approximately 43 cm of precipitation fell over the Hood River Basin in Oregon. A lahar was initiated on the Eliot Branch of the Middle Fork Hood River by two or more landslides that occurred on the lateral moraines of the Eliot Glacier on the early part of November 7th, 2006. The Eliot Branch lahar was embedded within the larger regional flood that was occurring in the Hood River Basin and traveled a total of 48 km from the initiation points on the north flank of Mount Hood to the Hood Rivers confluence with the Columbia River. The initiating landslides abruptly transformed into a debris flow upon mixing with flood waters of the Eliot Branch. The debris flow traveled a distance of ~28 km at which point it was transformed first to a hyperconcentrated flow and then to water flow via selective deposition of coarse sediment and progressive dilution by channel flow waters from the East and West Fork Hood Rivers. The transformation from debris flow to hyperconcentrated streamflow was recorded by a thickening wedge of hyperconcentrated streamflow sediments found above and below progressively fining debris flow sediments over a reach of 22 km. Finally, the hyperconcentrated-flow phase of the lahar transformed to water flow and then traveled an additional 20 km to the Hood River delta. Upon reaching the apex of the Hood River delta, depositing sediments led to an expansion of the delta. Debris-flow sediments were predominantly gravel (36.0-69.7% by wt.) with sand (22.1-55.9% by wt.) and fines (4.7-7.8% by wt.). Hyperconcentrated flow deposits contained a larger sand fraction of (66.8-99.2% by wt.) with few gravel clasts (0-26.0% by wt.) and fines (0-8.8% by wt.). Water flow deposits averaged 90.5% (wt.) sand with 6.0% (wt.) gravel and 3.0% (wt.) fines. Sorting was a key factor in flow identification and showed progressive improvement downstream from the initiation point. Sorting values for the flow types are as follows: debris flow deposits ranged from 3.3Φ (very poorly sorted) to 1.8Φ (poorly sorted), hyperconcentrated flow deposits ranged from 2.4Φ (very poorly sorted) to 0.8Φ (moderately sorted), and water flood deposits ranged between 1.4Φ (poorly sorted) to 0.6Φ (moderately sorted). Title: Sedimentologic changes in the deposits of an evolving lahar-flood in 2006, Hood River Basin, Mount Hood, Oregon Author: Poole, Matthew Ray Year: 2016 Over a span of six days from November 2nd -- 7th, 2006 approximately 43 cm of precipitation fell over the Hood River Basin in Oregon. A lahar was initiated on the Eliot Branch of the Middle Fork Hood River by two or more landslides that occurred on the lateral moraines of the Eliot Glacier on the early part of November 7th, 2006. The Eliot Branch lahar was embedded within the larger regional flood that was occurring in the Hood River Basin and traveled a total of 48 km from the initiation points on the north flank of Mount Hood to the Hood Rivers confluence with the Columbia River. The initiating landslides abruptly transformed into a debris flow upon mixing with flood waters of the Eliot Branch. The debris flow traveled a distance of ~28 km at which point it was transformed first to a hyperconcentrated flow and then to water flow via selective deposition of coarse sediment and progressive dilution by channel flow waters from the East and West Fork Hood Rivers. The transformation from debris flow to hyperconcentrated streamflow was recorded by a thickening wedge of hyperconcentrated streamflow sediments found above and below progressively fining debris flow sediments over a reach of 22 km. Finally, the hyperconcentrated-flow phase of the lahar transformed to water flow and then traveled an additional 20 km to the Hood River delta. Upon reaching the apex of the Hood River delta, depositing sediments led to an expansion of the delta. Debris-flow sediments were predominantly gravel (36.0-69.7% by wt.) with sand (22.1-55.9% by wt.) and fines (4.7-7.8% by wt.). Hyperconcentrated flow deposits contained a larger sand fraction of (66.8-99.2% by wt.) with few gravel clasts (0-26.0% by wt.) and fines (0-8.8% by wt.). Water flow deposits averaged 90.5% (wt.) sand with 6.0% (wt.) gravel and 3.0% (wt.) fines. Sorting was a key factor in flow identification and showed progressive improvement downstream from the initiation point. Sorting values for the flow types are as follows: debris flow deposits ranged from 3.3Φ (very poorly sorted) to 1.8Φ (poorly sorted), hyperconcentrated flow deposits ranged from 2.4Φ (very poorly sorted) to 0.8Φ (moderately sorted), and water flood deposits ranged between 1.4Φ (poorly sorted) to 0.6Φ (moderately sorted). Close

• 2. [Article] Reduced Order Description of Experimental Two-Phase Pipe Flows: Characterization of Flow Structures and Dynamics via Proper Orthogonal Decomposition

  Multiphase pipe flow is investigated using proper orthogonal decomposition for tomographic X-ray data, where holdup, cross-sectional phase distributions and phase interface characteristics within the pipe ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Reduced Order Description of Experimental Two-Phase Pipe Flows: Characterization of Flow Structures and Dynamics via Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Author: Viggiano, Bianca Fontanin Year: 2017 Multiphase pipe flow is investigated using proper orthogonal decomposition for tomographic X-ray data, where holdup, cross-sectional phase distributions and phase interface characteristics within the pipe are obtained. Six cases of stratified and mixed flow with water content of 10%, 30% and 80% are investigated to gain insight into effects of velocity and proportion of water on the flow fields. Dispersed and slug flows are separately analyzed to consider the added interface complexity of the flow fields. These regimes are also highly applicable to industry operational flows. Instantaneous and fluctuating phase fractions of the four flow regime are analyzed and reduced order dynamical descriptions are generated. Stratified flow cases display coherent structures that highlight the liquid-liquid interface location while the mixed flow cases show minimal coherence of the eigenmodes. The dispersed flow displays coherent structures for the first few modes near the horizontal center of the pipe, representing the liquid-liquid interface location while the slug flow case shows coherent structures that correspond to the cyclical formation and break up of the slug in the first 5 modes. The low order descriptions of the high water content, stratified flow field indicates that main characteristics can be captured with minimal degrees of freedom. Reconstructions of the dispersed flow and slug flow cases indicate that dominant features are observed in the low order dynamical description utilizing less than 1% of the full order model. POD temporal coefficients a1, a2 and a3 show a high level of interdependence for the slug flow case. The coefficients also describe the phase fraction holdup as a function of time for both dispersed and slug flow. The second coefficient, a2, and the centerline holdup profile show a mean percent difference below 9% between the two curves. The mathematical description obtained from the decomposition will deepen the understanding of multiphase flow characteristics and is applicable to long distance multiphase transport pipelines, fluidized beds, hydroelectric power and nuclear processes to name a few. Title: Reduced Order Description of Experimental Two-Phase Pipe Flows: Characterization of Flow Structures and Dynamics via Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Author: Viggiano, Bianca Fontanin Year: 2017 Multiphase pipe flow is investigated using proper orthogonal decomposition for tomographic X-ray data, where holdup, cross-sectional phase distributions and phase interface characteristics within the pipe are obtained. Six cases of stratified and mixed flow with water content of 10%, 30% and 80% are investigated to gain insight into effects of velocity and proportion of water on the flow fields. Dispersed and slug flows are separately analyzed to consider the added interface complexity of the flow fields. These regimes are also highly applicable to industry operational flows. Instantaneous and fluctuating phase fractions of the four flow regime are analyzed and reduced order dynamical descriptions are generated. Stratified flow cases display coherent structures that highlight the liquid-liquid interface location while the mixed flow cases show minimal coherence of the eigenmodes. The dispersed flow displays coherent structures for the first few modes near the horizontal center of the pipe, representing the liquid-liquid interface location while the slug flow case shows coherent structures that correspond to the cyclical formation and break up of the slug in the first 5 modes. The low order descriptions of the high water content, stratified flow field indicates that main characteristics can be captured with minimal degrees of freedom. Reconstructions of the dispersed flow and slug flow cases indicate that dominant features are observed in the low order dynamical description utilizing less than 1% of the full order model. POD temporal coefficients a1, a2 and a3 show a high level of interdependence for the slug flow case. The coefficients also describe the phase fraction holdup as a function of time for both dispersed and slug flow. The second coefficient, a2, and the centerline holdup profile show a mean percent difference below 9% between the two curves. The mathematical description obtained from the decomposition will deepen the understanding of multiphase flow characteristics and is applicable to long distance multiphase transport pipelines, fluidized beds, hydroelectric power and nuclear processes to name a few. Close

• 3. [Article] Effects of Beaver Dams on Surface Water Flow During Storm Events in an Urban Landscape

  Urban land-use generally alters the hydrologic cycle, leading to changes in the natural flow regime of local streams. Runoff from impervious surfaces and routing of stormwater to streams causes urban streams ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effects of Beaver Dams on Surface Water Flow During Storm Events in an Urban Landscape Author: Poor, Erin Year: 2017 Urban land-use generally alters the hydrologic cycle, leading to changes in the natural flow regime of local streams. Runoff from impervious surfaces and routing of stormwater to streams causes urban streams to respond quickly and more intensely to storm events-more so than then would be observed in a less urbanized landscape. The rapid pulse of water that is routed to streams during precipitation events can degrade the physical structure of the channel and alter water quality and habitat availability. To manage these common urban stream issues, agencies have been seeking alternative ways of restoring and enhancing resilience in urban stream networks within the constraints of existing infrastructure. One potential strategy may be to support beaver recolonization of urban streams. This is because beaver dam building activity has been found to attenuate streamflow in areas that have experienced minimal human impact. Currently, however, no studies have been published that examine how beaver dams affect stream flow in altered urban systems. This study seeks to determine if the presence of beaver dams and ponds in urban stream reaches in the Tualatin River basin, Oregon, modifies the stream’s response to storm events. Continuous surface water levels are being collected upstream and downstream of two beaver affected reaches in order to determine how the presence of dams and ponds affect the flow regime, and whether this more closely resembles a less degraded state. Title: Effects of Beaver Dams on Surface Water Flow During Storm Events in an Urban Landscape Author: Poor, Erin Year: 2017 Urban land-use generally alters the hydrologic cycle, leading to changes in the natural flow regime of local streams. Runoff from impervious surfaces and routing of stormwater to streams causes urban streams to respond quickly and more intensely to storm events-more so than then would be observed in a less urbanized landscape. The rapid pulse of water that is routed to streams during precipitation events can degrade the physical structure of the channel and alter water quality and habitat availability. To manage these common urban stream issues, agencies have been seeking alternative ways of restoring and enhancing resilience in urban stream networks within the constraints of existing infrastructure. One potential strategy may be to support beaver recolonization of urban streams. This is because beaver dam building activity has been found to attenuate streamflow in areas that have experienced minimal human impact. Currently, however, no studies have been published that examine how beaver dams affect stream flow in altered urban systems. This study seeks to determine if the presence of beaver dams and ponds in urban stream reaches in the Tualatin River basin, Oregon, modifies the stream’s response to storm events. Continuous surface water levels are being collected upstream and downstream of two beaver affected reaches in order to determine how the presence of dams and ponds affect the flow regime, and whether this more closely resembles a less degraded state. Close

• 4. [Article] The Value of Well-Being: Advancing Urban Blue Infrastructure with Holistic Metrics

  The design of urban infrastructure has emerging, documented impacts on the environment, local economy, and public well-being, yet conventional design and policy goals fail to account for these emergent ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Value of Well-Being: Advancing Urban Blue Infrastructure with Holistic Metrics Author: White, Lisa Marie Year: 2014 The design of urban infrastructure has emerging, documented impacts on the environment, local economy, and public well-being, yet conventional design and policy goals fail to account for these emergent properties. These impacts also lack consistent quantifiable metrics and classification in the realm of city planning. Without adequately holistic cost-benefit analyses, the true value of infrastructure projects fails to be ascertained, preventing consideration of design that provides additional benefits not yet incorporated into city policy and metrics. With more people living in cities than ever before, the built environment of cities has become an increasingly important area of study, and the creation and replacement of aging infrastructure presents an unprecedented opportunity to innovate and rethink best practices. Does urban water infrastructure stand to benefit, in design and paradigm advancement, from more holistic economic assessment that incorporates the financial value of potential human well-being benefits? This paper explores the motivational and physical evolution of urban water infrastructure, including advancements in ecologically conscious, low-impact designs, and how the value of projects has largely been based on narrow metrics of measurable engineering utility, like quantification of reduced storm water flows. One missing evaluative consideration, human well-being, is then discussed, including its development and quantification in urban areas. Stream daylighting, a relatively new and difficult to classify storm-water management design, is explored as an example of promising new practices that would benefit from holistic cost-benefit analyses, and that cities may forgo when emergent properties are absent from metrics equating value. This paper argues that incorporating the economic value of human well-being when assessing the cost and benefit of water management infrastructure stands to substantiate more sustainable and innovative designs, opening urban water infrastructure to further evolution that may better serve the populace and ecology for which it is designed. Title: The Value of Well-Being: Advancing Urban Blue Infrastructure with Holistic Metrics Author: White, Lisa Marie Year: 2014 The design of urban infrastructure has emerging, documented impacts on the environment, local economy, and public well-being, yet conventional design and policy goals fail to account for these emergent properties. These impacts also lack consistent quantifiable metrics and classification in the realm of city planning. Without adequately holistic cost-benefit analyses, the true value of infrastructure projects fails to be ascertained, preventing consideration of design that provides additional benefits not yet incorporated into city policy and metrics. With more people living in cities than ever before, the built environment of cities has become an increasingly important area of study, and the creation and replacement of aging infrastructure presents an unprecedented opportunity to innovate and rethink best practices. Does urban water infrastructure stand to benefit, in design and paradigm advancement, from more holistic economic assessment that incorporates the financial value of potential human well-being benefits? This paper explores the motivational and physical evolution of urban water infrastructure, including advancements in ecologically conscious, low-impact designs, and how the value of projects has largely been based on narrow metrics of measurable engineering utility, like quantification of reduced storm water flows. One missing evaluative consideration, human well-being, is then discussed, including its development and quantification in urban areas. Stream daylighting, a relatively new and difficult to classify storm-water management design, is explored as an example of promising new practices that would benefit from holistic cost-benefit analyses, and that cities may forgo when emergent properties are absent from metrics equating value. This paper argues that incorporating the economic value of human well-being when assessing the cost and benefit of water management infrastructure stands to substantiate more sustainable and innovative designs, opening urban water infrastructure to further evolution that may better serve the populace and ecology for which it is designed. Close

• 5. [Article] Implementation of a Sediment Transport Model for CE-QUAL-W2

  The CE-QUAL-W2 model, developed by Portland State University, simulates water quality and flow. Recommendations to expand on this model and have it include sediment transport are implemented in this report. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Implementation of a Sediment Transport Model for CE-QUAL-W2 Author: Hanna, Rachel Year: 2014 The CE-QUAL-W2 model, developed by Portland State University, simulates water quality and flow. Recommendations to expand on this model and have it include sediment transport are implemented in this report. Existing one-, two-, and three-dimensional models are reviewed and assessed for their sediment transport methodology. A laterally (width) averaged sediment concentration model is developed as an Upwind Center Space Scheme using CE-QUAL-W2 data. The scheme includes a method to calculate scour for sediment concentration and results of the model are shown for a simulated branch of the Spokane River. Title: Implementation of a Sediment Transport Model for CE-QUAL-W2 Author: Hanna, Rachel Year: 2014 The CE-QUAL-W2 model, developed by Portland State University, simulates water quality and flow. Recommendations to expand on this model and have it include sediment transport are implemented in this report. Existing one-, two-, and three-dimensional models are reviewed and assessed for their sediment transport methodology. A laterally (width) averaged sediment concentration model is developed as an Upwind Center Space Scheme using CE-QUAL-W2 data. The scheme includes a method to calculate scour for sediment concentration and results of the model are shown for a simulated branch of the Spokane River. Close

• 6. [Article] Landforms along the Lower Columbia River and the Influence of Humans

  River systems, such as the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest, USA have been influenced by human activities, resulting in changes to the physical processes that drive landform evolution. This work ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Landforms along the Lower Columbia River and the Influence of Humans Author: Cannon, Charles Matthew Year: 2015 River systems, such as the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest, USA have been influenced by human activities, resulting in changes to the physical processes that drive landform evolution. This work describes an inventory of landforms along the Columbia River estuary between the Pacific Ocean and Bonneville Dam in Oregon and Washington. Groupings of landforms are assigned to formative process regimes that are used to assess historical changes to floodplain features. The estuary was historically a complex system of channels with a floodplain dominated by extensive tidal wetlands in the lower reaches and backswamp lakes and wetlands in upper reaches. Natural levees flank most channels in the upper reaches, locally including areas of ridge and swale topography and crevasse splays that intrude into backswamps. Other Holocene process regimes affecting floodplain morphology have included volcanogenic deltas, tributary fans, dunes, and landslides. Pre-Holocene landforms are locally prominent and include ancient fluvial deposits and bedrock. Historical changes to streamflow regimes, floodplain isolation by flood-control systems, and direct anthropogenic disturbance have resulted in channel narrowing and limited the amount of floodplain that can be shaped by flowing water. Floodplain isolation has caused relative subsidence of tidal floodplains along much of the lower estuary. Most extant landforms are on trajectories controlled by humans and new landforms are mostly created by humans. Title: Landforms along the Lower Columbia River and the Influence of Humans Author: Cannon, Charles Matthew Year: 2015 River systems, such as the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest, USA have been influenced by human activities, resulting in changes to the physical processes that drive landform evolution. This work describes an inventory of landforms along the Columbia River estuary between the Pacific Ocean and Bonneville Dam in Oregon and Washington. Groupings of landforms are assigned to formative process regimes that are used to assess historical changes to floodplain features. The estuary was historically a complex system of channels with a floodplain dominated by extensive tidal wetlands in the lower reaches and backswamp lakes and wetlands in upper reaches. Natural levees flank most channels in the upper reaches, locally including areas of ridge and swale topography and crevasse splays that intrude into backswamps. Other Holocene process regimes affecting floodplain morphology have included volcanogenic deltas, tributary fans, dunes, and landslides. Pre-Holocene landforms are locally prominent and include ancient fluvial deposits and bedrock. Historical changes to streamflow regimes, floodplain isolation by flood-control systems, and direct anthropogenic disturbance have resulted in channel narrowing and limited the amount of floodplain that can be shaped by flowing water. Floodplain isolation has caused relative subsidence of tidal floodplains along much of the lower estuary. Most extant landforms are on trajectories controlled by humans and new landforms are mostly created by humans. Close

• 7. [Article] Groundwater Recharge of a Landslide : An Isotopic and Meteorological Analysis

  Landslides pose a significant threat to property and personal injury, estimated at 3.5 billion dollars and 25-50 deaths per year respectively (Schuster, 1996). The triggers that cause landslides are well ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Groundwater Recharge of a Landslide : An Isotopic and Meteorological Analysis Author: Allen, Bryan Year: 2016 Landslides pose a significant threat to property and personal injury, estimated at 3.5 billion dollars and 25-50 deaths per year respectively (Schuster, 1996). The triggers that cause landslides are well understood and include intense precipitation events, seismic shaking, destabilizing activities, and the over-steepening of slopes. However, these triggers were absent when the Silt Creek Landslide initiated, and determining this landslide’s subsurface hydrologic conditions is the focus of this study. Located on the western slopes of the Cascade mountain range in Oregon and within an active logging area, the landslide reactivated during the summer of 2014 at a site that had previous landslides dating back to at least 1994. The area is underlain by poorly welded tuffs capped with basaltic flows. Considering the near-drought to drought conditions that existed 3 years’ prior, it has a relatively high rate of slip of approximately 15 m/yr. On March 4th, 2016 I obtained twelve water samples from surface flow and springs on the landslide for isotope analysis of oxygen (18O) and deuterium (D). Comparing the resultant mean, -10.09‰ δ18O, against well-defined linear elevation/ δ18O relationships for western Oregon and the Global Meteoric Water Line for δ18O / δD the source of surface flow and groundwater likely originates from a pond above the head scarp. Analysis of precipitation data over a 42-year period prior to reactivation confirms the drought-like conditions existing at time of reactivation. These conditions align with the ‘bathtub’ model wherein an older landslide creates the conditions for repeated failures by aligning platy clay minerals such that the hydraulic conductivity is reduced to the point that a perched aquifer forms. This provides lubrication for subsequent landslides even during periods of low precipitation. Understanding the mechanisms operating on this landslide can inform future assessments of hazard and risk as well as appropriate mitigation strategies. Title: Groundwater Recharge of a Landslide : An Isotopic and Meteorological Analysis Author: Allen, Bryan Year: 2016 Landslides pose a significant threat to property and personal injury, estimated at 3.5 billion dollars and 25-50 deaths per year respectively (Schuster, 1996). The triggers that cause landslides are well understood and include intense precipitation events, seismic shaking, destabilizing activities, and the over-steepening of slopes. However, these triggers were absent when the Silt Creek Landslide initiated, and determining this landslide’s subsurface hydrologic conditions is the focus of this study. Located on the western slopes of the Cascade mountain range in Oregon and within an active logging area, the landslide reactivated during the summer of 2014 at a site that had previous landslides dating back to at least 1994. The area is underlain by poorly welded tuffs capped with basaltic flows. Considering the near-drought to drought conditions that existed 3 years’ prior, it has a relatively high rate of slip of approximately 15 m/yr. On March 4th, 2016 I obtained twelve water samples from surface flow and springs on the landslide for isotope analysis of oxygen (18O) and deuterium (D). Comparing the resultant mean, -10.09‰ δ18O, against well-defined linear elevation/ δ18O relationships for western Oregon and the Global Meteoric Water Line for δ18O / δD the source of surface flow and groundwater likely originates from a pond above the head scarp. Analysis of precipitation data over a 42-year period prior to reactivation confirms the drought-like conditions existing at time of reactivation. These conditions align with the ‘bathtub’ model wherein an older landslide creates the conditions for repeated failures by aligning platy clay minerals such that the hydraulic conductivity is reduced to the point that a perched aquifer forms. This provides lubrication for subsequent landslides even during periods of low precipitation. Understanding the mechanisms operating on this landslide can inform future assessments of hazard and risk as well as appropriate mitigation strategies. Close

• 8. [Article] Modeling of Historic Columbia River Flood Impacts Based on Delft 3D Simulations

  Natural and anthropogenic processes over the past 150 years have altered the bathymetry of the Lower Columbia River (LCR) and have changed the long wave propagation of tides and floods. Possible causes ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Modeling of Historic Columbia River Flood Impacts Based on Delft 3D Simulations Author: Helaire, Lumas Terence Year: 2016 Natural and anthropogenic processes over the past 150 years have altered the bathymetry of the Lower Columbia River (LCR) and have changed the long wave propagation of tides and floods. Possible causes for the increase in tidal amplitudes (+7% in tidal range in Astoria) are decreases in river discharge, lengthening of the river channel due to the construction of jetties at the mouth, dredging and deepening of the shipping channel, and reduction of the tidal prism due to the filling and diking of tidal wetlands. In this study, changes in the characteristics of long waves are elucidated by developing two hydrodynamic models of the LCR which reflect historical and modern bathymetric conditions and forcing. The historic model simulates late 19th century conditions and is extensively validated using recently recovered tide records along the LCR (e.g., Astoria, 1853-1876) and river stage measurements (e.g., Portland, 1876-1964). Results suggest that water levels in Portland at low river discharge are up to 0.5-1.0m lower than in the past. However, historical water levels during a flood scenario based on the 1880 spring freshet are similar to modern water levels. Since tidal range in the modern scenario is persistently higher at all locations, the flood risk in many locations along the LCR has increased for the same boundary conditions. The results are explained by considering the governing equations of momentum and mass-conservation. At low river flow, greater depth leads to reduced frictional effects, producing amplified tidal range and tidal velocities but a decreased river slope (and lower Portland water levels). At high flow, the modern flood is confined by dikes and the loss of wetlands, which counteracts the effect of decreased friction. Nonetheless, the high friction of the historical wooded floodplain also confined the historical flood path. Hence, historical and modern flood heights are surprisingly similar, though scaling analysis suggests that the historical flood wave was more diffusive. Title: Modeling of Historic Columbia River Flood Impacts Based on Delft 3D Simulations Author: Helaire, Lumas Terence Year: 2016 Natural and anthropogenic processes over the past 150 years have altered the bathymetry of the Lower Columbia River (LCR) and have changed the long wave propagation of tides and floods. Possible causes for the increase in tidal amplitudes (+7% in tidal range in Astoria) are decreases in river discharge, lengthening of the river channel due to the construction of jetties at the mouth, dredging and deepening of the shipping channel, and reduction of the tidal prism due to the filling and diking of tidal wetlands. In this study, changes in the characteristics of long waves are elucidated by developing two hydrodynamic models of the LCR which reflect historical and modern bathymetric conditions and forcing. The historic model simulates late 19th century conditions and is extensively validated using recently recovered tide records along the LCR (e.g., Astoria, 1853-1876) and river stage measurements (e.g., Portland, 1876-1964). Results suggest that water levels in Portland at low river discharge are up to 0.5-1.0m lower than in the past. However, historical water levels during a flood scenario based on the 1880 spring freshet are similar to modern water levels. Since tidal range in the modern scenario is persistently higher at all locations, the flood risk in many locations along the LCR has increased for the same boundary conditions. The results are explained by considering the governing equations of momentum and mass-conservation. At low river flow, greater depth leads to reduced frictional effects, producing amplified tidal range and tidal velocities but a decreased river slope (and lower Portland water levels). At high flow, the modern flood is confined by dikes and the loss of wetlands, which counteracts the effect of decreased friction. Nonetheless, the high friction of the historical wooded floodplain also confined the historical flood path. Hence, historical and modern flood heights are surprisingly similar, though scaling analysis suggests that the historical flood wave was more diffusive. Close

• 9. [Article] Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Modeling of the Chehalis River Using CE-QUAL-W2

  The Chehalis River Basin is located in the southwest region of Washington State, originating in the Olympic Mountains and flowing to Grays Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. The Chehalis River is over 125 miles, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Modeling of the Chehalis River Using CE-QUAL-W2 Author: Van Glubt, Sarah Year: 2017 The Chehalis River Basin is located in the southwest region of Washington State, originating in the Olympic Mountains and flowing to Grays Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. The Chehalis River is over 125 miles, exists within five counties, and flows through agricultural, residential, industrial, and forest land areas. Four major rivers discharge to the Chehalis River, as well as many smaller creeks, five wastewater treatment plants, and groundwater flows. Flooding is a major problem in the relatively flat areas surrounding the cities of Chehalis and Centralia, with severe consequences for property, safety and transportation. As a result, construction of a flood-control dam in the upper basin has been proposed. One major concern of constructing a dam is the potentially severe impacts to fish health and habitat. The Chehalis River has routinely violated water quality standards for primarily temperature and dissolved oxygen, and has had multiple water quality and Total Maximum Daily Load studies beginning in 1990. CE-QUAL-W2, a two-dimensional (longitudinal and vertical) hydrodynamic and water quality model, was used to simulate the Chehalis River, including free flowing river stretches and stratified (in summer) lake-like stretches. The goals of this research were to assess the flood retention structure's impacts to water quality, as well as river responses to potential climate change scenarios. In order to use the model to achieve these goals, calibration to field data for flow, temperature, and water quality constituents was performed. This involved developing meteorological data, riparian shading data, and flow, temperature, water quality records for all tributaries during the calibration period of January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. System cross-sectional geometry data were also required for the model grid. Because of the short travel time in the river, the model was sensitive to boundary condition data, wind speed, bathymetry, nutrient kinetics, and algae, epiphyton, and zooplankton kinetics. Future conditions showed predictions of warmer water temperatures and slight changes to water quality conditions on the river. As fish in the area prefer cooler water temperatures, this could pose a threat to fish health and habitat. Flood retention structures also showed impacts to river temperature and water quality. Structures with the purpose of flood retention only (only operating during times of flooding) gave model predictions for daily maximum temperature higher than structures that employed flood retention and flow augmentation (operating during all times of the year). This suggested the management of flow passage or retention by the dam is important for water quality on the river. As this research continues improvements will be made, particularly to temperature and water quality constituents. Additional data for the system would be beneficial to this process. Model predictions of temperature were sensitive to meteorological data, including cloud cover, which were largely estimated based on solar radiation. Additional meteorological data throughout the basin would be useful to temperature results. Temperature results were also sensitive to the model bathymetry, and additional investigations into segments widths and water depths may improve temperature predictions. Water quality constituent data were largely lacking for the system. Many estimation techniques and approximations were used for input water quality constituents for the model upstream boundary and tributaries when little or no data were available, introducing uncertainty to the model. It was not possible to calibrate pH to field data because alkalinity data were essentially unavailable. However, other constituents had good agreement between model predictions and field data, including dissolved oxygen, nitrates, total phosphorus, and total suspended solids. Title: Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Modeling of the Chehalis River Using CE-QUAL-W2 Author: Van Glubt, Sarah Year: 2017 The Chehalis River Basin is located in the southwest region of Washington State, originating in the Olympic Mountains and flowing to Grays Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. The Chehalis River is over 125 miles, exists within five counties, and flows through agricultural, residential, industrial, and forest land areas. Four major rivers discharge to the Chehalis River, as well as many smaller creeks, five wastewater treatment plants, and groundwater flows. Flooding is a major problem in the relatively flat areas surrounding the cities of Chehalis and Centralia, with severe consequences for property, safety and transportation. As a result, construction of a flood-control dam in the upper basin has been proposed. One major concern of constructing a dam is the potentially severe impacts to fish health and habitat. The Chehalis River has routinely violated water quality standards for primarily temperature and dissolved oxygen, and has had multiple water quality and Total Maximum Daily Load studies beginning in 1990. CE-QUAL-W2, a two-dimensional (longitudinal and vertical) hydrodynamic and water quality model, was used to simulate the Chehalis River, including free flowing river stretches and stratified (in summer) lake-like stretches. The goals of this research were to assess the flood retention structure's impacts to water quality, as well as river responses to potential climate change scenarios. In order to use the model to achieve these goals, calibration to field data for flow, temperature, and water quality constituents was performed. This involved developing meteorological data, riparian shading data, and flow, temperature, water quality records for all tributaries during the calibration period of January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. System cross-sectional geometry data were also required for the model grid. Because of the short travel time in the river, the model was sensitive to boundary condition data, wind speed, bathymetry, nutrient kinetics, and algae, epiphyton, and zooplankton kinetics. Future conditions showed predictions of warmer water temperatures and slight changes to water quality conditions on the river. As fish in the area prefer cooler water temperatures, this could pose a threat to fish health and habitat. Flood retention structures also showed impacts to river temperature and water quality. Structures with the purpose of flood retention only (only operating during times of flooding) gave model predictions for daily maximum temperature higher than structures that employed flood retention and flow augmentation (operating during all times of the year). This suggested the management of flow passage or retention by the dam is important for water quality on the river. As this research continues improvements will be made, particularly to temperature and water quality constituents. Additional data for the system would be beneficial to this process. Model predictions of temperature were sensitive to meteorological data, including cloud cover, which were largely estimated based on solar radiation. Additional meteorological data throughout the basin would be useful to temperature results. Temperature results were also sensitive to the model bathymetry, and additional investigations into segments widths and water depths may improve temperature predictions. Water quality constituent data were largely lacking for the system. Many estimation techniques and approximations were used for input water quality constituents for the model upstream boundary and tributaries when little or no data were available, introducing uncertainty to the model. It was not possible to calibrate pH to field data because alkalinity data were essentially unavailable. However, other constituents had good agreement between model predictions and field data, including dissolved oxygen, nitrates, total phosphorus, and total suspended solids. Close

• 10. [Article] Watershed Response to Climate Change and Fire-Burns in the Upper Umatilla River Basin, USA

  This study analyzed watershed response to climate change and forest fire impacts in the upper Umatilla River Basin (URB), Oregon, using the precipitation runoff modeling system. Ten global climate models ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Watershed Response to Climate Change and Fire-Burns in the Upper Umatilla River Basin, USA Author: Yazzie, Kimberly Crystal, Chang, Heejun Year: 2017 This study analyzed watershed response to climate change and forest fire impacts in the upper Umatilla River Basin (URB), Oregon, using the precipitation runoff modeling system. Ten global climate models using Coupled Intercomparison Project Phase 5 experiments with Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 were used to simulate the effects of climate and fire-burns on runoff behavior throughout the 21st century. We observed the center timing (CT) of flow, seasonal flows, snow water equivalent (SWE) and basin recharge. In the upper URB, hydrologic regime shifts from a snow-rain-dominated to rain-dominated basin. Ensemble mean CT occurs 27 days earlier in RCP 4.5 and 33 days earlier in RCP 8.5, in comparison to historic conditions (1980s) by the end of the 21st century. After forest cover reduction in the 2080s, CT occurs 35 days earlier in RCP 4.5 and 29 days earlier in RCP 8.5. The difference in mean CT after fire-burns may be due to projected changes in the individual climate model. Winter flow is projected to decline after forest cover reduction in the 2080s by 85% and 72% in RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, in comparison to 98% change in ensemble mean winter flows in the 2080s before forest cover reduction. The ratio of ensemble mean snow water equivalent to precipitation substantially decreases by 81% and 91% in the 2050s and 2080s before forest cover reduction and a decrease of 90% in RCP 4.5 and 99% in RCP 8.5 in the 2080s after fire-burns. Mean basin recharge is 10% and 14% lower in the 2080s before fire-burns and after fire-burns, and it decreases by 13% in RCP 4.5 and decreases 22% in RCP 8.5 in the 2080s in comparison to historical conditions. Mixed results for recharge after forest cover reduction suggest that an increase may be due to the size of burned areas, decreased canopy interception and less evaporation occurring at the watershed surface, increasing the potential for infiltration. The effects of fire on the watershed system are strongly indicated by a significant increase in winter seasonal flows and a slight reduction in summer flows. Findings from this study may improve adaptive management of water resources, flood control and the effects of fire on a watershed system. Title: Watershed Response to Climate Change and Fire-Burns in the Upper Umatilla River Basin, USA Author: Yazzie, Kimberly Crystal, Chang, Heejun Year: 2017 This study analyzed watershed response to climate change and forest fire impacts in the upper Umatilla River Basin (URB), Oregon, using the precipitation runoff modeling system. Ten global climate models using Coupled Intercomparison Project Phase 5 experiments with Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 were used to simulate the effects of climate and fire-burns on runoff behavior throughout the 21st century. We observed the center timing (CT) of flow, seasonal flows, snow water equivalent (SWE) and basin recharge. In the upper URB, hydrologic regime shifts from a snow-rain-dominated to rain-dominated basin. Ensemble mean CT occurs 27 days earlier in RCP 4.5 and 33 days earlier in RCP 8.5, in comparison to historic conditions (1980s) by the end of the 21st century. After forest cover reduction in the 2080s, CT occurs 35 days earlier in RCP 4.5 and 29 days earlier in RCP 8.5. The difference in mean CT after fire-burns may be due to projected changes in the individual climate model. Winter flow is projected to decline after forest cover reduction in the 2080s by 85% and 72% in RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, in comparison to 98% change in ensemble mean winter flows in the 2080s before forest cover reduction. The ratio of ensemble mean snow water equivalent to precipitation substantially decreases by 81% and 91% in the 2050s and 2080s before forest cover reduction and a decrease of 90% in RCP 4.5 and 99% in RCP 8.5 in the 2080s after fire-burns. Mean basin recharge is 10% and 14% lower in the 2080s before fire-burns and after fire-burns, and it decreases by 13% in RCP 4.5 and decreases 22% in RCP 8.5 in the 2080s in comparison to historical conditions. Mixed results for recharge after forest cover reduction suggest that an increase may be due to the size of burned areas, decreased canopy interception and less evaporation occurring at the watershed surface, increasing the potential for infiltration. The effects of fire on the watershed system are strongly indicated by a significant increase in winter seasonal flows and a slight reduction in summer flows. Findings from this study may improve adaptive management of water resources, flood control and the effects of fire on a watershed system. Close