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• 51. [Article] Characterization of hydrologic parameters and processes in shrink-swell clay soils

  Vertisols and other vertic-intergrade soils are found all over the globe, including many agricultural and urban areas. These soils are characterized by their cyclical shrinking and swelling behaviors, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Characterization of hydrologic parameters and processes in shrink-swell clay soils Author: Stewart, Ryan D. Vertisols and other vertic-intergrade soils are found all over the globe, including many agricultural and urban areas. These soils are characterized by their cyclical shrinking and swelling behaviors, where bulk density and porosity distribution both vary as functions of time and/or soil moisture. In turn, alterations in physical soil parameters become manifest as crack networks, which open during the shrinkage phase and re-seal as the soil swells. As a consequence, when present these soils can significantly impact agriculture and infrastructure, and can act as a dominant control on the local hydrology. Therefore, understanding how water moves through and interacts with these soils is of utmost importance to ensure their proper utilization and management. This study had three objectives: 1) to identify the role of initial soil moisture on infiltration in a rigid (non-swelling) soil; 2) to quantify variation in the soil's hydraulic properties, using single-ring infiltration measurements taken in a vertic soil over a 1.5 year period; and 3) to build on these concepts to examine data from a set of instrumented field plots in a vertic soil located in the Secano Interior region of Chile. Significant findings of the study include 1) the development of a new formulation to describe a soil's wetting front potential (a measure of capillary pull) in terms of initial degree of saturation; 2) the creation of a simple correction to approximate the decrease of wetting front potential in wetter soils, thereby improving the accuracy of the traditional Green and Ampt sorptivity model in such conditions; 3) an equation to accurately estimate hydraulic parameters from short-duration infiltration tests, when steady-state conditions have not been realized; 4) a new theoretical model to estimate crack porosity as a function of soil moisture, which was developed based on the soil shrinkage curve; and 5) modification of the traditional two-term Philip infiltration model for use in vertic soils. The field study also showed that crack networks cause highly complex and non-linear wetting of the soil profile, with water simultaneously infiltrating from the soil surface and from the soil-crack interfaces; that cracks can seal at the surface while remaining open and hydraulically active below the surface, which indicates that surface-based monitoring alone may not be sufficient to predict water movement and soil response in vertic soils; and that the transition between infiltration and runoff may be strongly correlated with the cumulative amount of net precipitation that had reached the soil surface, so that cumulative amount of precipitation has the potential to be a simple yet accurate metric to predict runoff in vertic soils. These findings offer improved understanding of soil-water interactions in vertic soils, and reveal that very simple concepts underlie seemingly complex systems. As a result, the concepts and formulations developed in this study should allow for straightforward integration into other studies and models. Title: Characterization of hydrologic parameters and processes in shrink-swell clay soils Author: Stewart, Ryan D. Vertisols and other vertic-intergrade soils are found all over the globe, including many agricultural and urban areas. These soils are characterized by their cyclical shrinking and swelling behaviors, where bulk density and porosity distribution both vary as functions of time and/or soil moisture. In turn, alterations in physical soil parameters become manifest as crack networks, which open during the shrinkage phase and re-seal as the soil swells. As a consequence, when present these soils can significantly impact agriculture and infrastructure, and can act as a dominant control on the local hydrology. Therefore, understanding how water moves through and interacts with these soils is of utmost importance to ensure their proper utilization and management. This study had three objectives: 1) to identify the role of initial soil moisture on infiltration in a rigid (non-swelling) soil; 2) to quantify variation in the soil's hydraulic properties, using single-ring infiltration measurements taken in a vertic soil over a 1.5 year period; and 3) to build on these concepts to examine data from a set of instrumented field plots in a vertic soil located in the Secano Interior region of Chile. Significant findings of the study include 1) the development of a new formulation to describe a soil's wetting front potential (a measure of capillary pull) in terms of initial degree of saturation; 2) the creation of a simple correction to approximate the decrease of wetting front potential in wetter soils, thereby improving the accuracy of the traditional Green and Ampt sorptivity model in such conditions; 3) an equation to accurately estimate hydraulic parameters from short-duration infiltration tests, when steady-state conditions have not been realized; 4) a new theoretical model to estimate crack porosity as a function of soil moisture, which was developed based on the soil shrinkage curve; and 5) modification of the traditional two-term Philip infiltration model for use in vertic soils. The field study also showed that crack networks cause highly complex and non-linear wetting of the soil profile, with water simultaneously infiltrating from the soil surface and from the soil-crack interfaces; that cracks can seal at the surface while remaining open and hydraulically active below the surface, which indicates that surface-based monitoring alone may not be sufficient to predict water movement and soil response in vertic soils; and that the transition between infiltration and runoff may be strongly correlated with the cumulative amount of net precipitation that had reached the soil surface, so that cumulative amount of precipitation has the potential to be a simple yet accurate metric to predict runoff in vertic soils. These findings offer improved understanding of soil-water interactions in vertic soils, and reveal that very simple concepts underlie seemingly complex systems. As a result, the concepts and formulations developed in this study should allow for straightforward integration into other studies and models. Close

• 52. [Article] Willamette River Basin Temperature TMDL Model: Model Calibration

  The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is developing a TMDL for temperature in the Willamette River basin shown in Figure 1. The study area included the Willamette River and all ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Willamette River Basin Temperature TMDL Model: Model Calibration Author: Berger, Chris, McKillip, Michael Lee, Annear, Robert Leslie, Khan, Sher Jamal, Wells, Scott A. Year: 2004 The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is developing a TMDL for temperature in the Willamette River basin shown in Figure 1. The study area included the Willamette River and all major tributaries (except the Tualatin River where a TMDL process was already concluded). A large section of the Columbia River was also modeled to provide adequate boundary representation of tidal flows in the lower Willamette River. The Willamette River below the Oregon City Falls in the Portland metropolitan area has a typical diurnal tidal range of 1 m. The development of a dynamic model of temperature and hydrodynamics of the entire river basin incorporating shading were primary requirements of this modeling study. The model would be used by DEQ to set temperature limits on point source dischargers and to evaluate the impact of management strategies on river temperatures to improve fish habitat. Some of these strategies included modifications of the dam at the Willamette River Falls south of Portland and channel reconfigurations. The river basin model was originally divided into several reaches. Individual models were developed for each reach. The models were set-up for each section of the Willamette basin as described in Annear et al. (2004a), the models were calibrated to field data and management strategies were evaluated as described in Annear et al (2004b). This report outlines the model calibration of each of these model sections or elements for both the calibration time periods. The calibration period for each model section differs due to the availability of boundary condition data. The model management simulation scenarios (Annear et al, 2004b) also required boundary condition data that extended past the calibration periods. Title: Willamette River Basin Temperature TMDL Model: Model Calibration Author: Berger, Chris, McKillip, Michael Lee, Annear, Robert Leslie, Khan, Sher Jamal, Wells, Scott A. Year: 2004 The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is developing a TMDL for temperature in the Willamette River basin shown in Figure 1. The study area included the Willamette River and all major tributaries (except the Tualatin River where a TMDL process was already concluded). A large section of the Columbia River was also modeled to provide adequate boundary representation of tidal flows in the lower Willamette River. The Willamette River below the Oregon City Falls in the Portland metropolitan area has a typical diurnal tidal range of 1 m. The development of a dynamic model of temperature and hydrodynamics of the entire river basin incorporating shading were primary requirements of this modeling study. The model would be used by DEQ to set temperature limits on point source dischargers and to evaluate the impact of management strategies on river temperatures to improve fish habitat. Some of these strategies included modifications of the dam at the Willamette River Falls south of Portland and channel reconfigurations. The river basin model was originally divided into several reaches. Individual models were developed for each reach. The models were set-up for each section of the Willamette basin as described in Annear et al. (2004a), the models were calibrated to field data and management strategies were evaluated as described in Annear et al (2004b). This report outlines the model calibration of each of these model sections or elements for both the calibration time periods. The calibration period for each model section differs due to the availability of boundary condition data. The model management simulation scenarios (Annear et al, 2004b) also required boundary condition data that extended past the calibration periods. Close

• 53. [Article] Willamette River Basin Temperature TMDL Model: Model Scenarios

  The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is developing a TMDL for temperature in the Willamette River basin shown in Figure 1. The study area included the Willamette River and all ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Willamette River Basin Temperature TMDL Model: Model Scenarios Author: Annear, Robert Leslie, McKillip, Michael Lee, Khan, Sher Jamal, Berger, Chris, Wells, Scott A. Year: 2004 The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is developing a TMDL for temperature in the Willamette River basin shown in Figure 1. The study area included the Willamette River and all major tributaries (except the Tualatin River where a TMDL process was already concluded). A large section of the Columbia River was also modeled to provide adequate boundary representation of tidal flows in the lower Willamette River. The Willamette River below the Oregon City Falls in the Portland metropolitan area has a typical diurnal tidal range of 1 m. The development of a dynamic model of temperature and hydrodynamics of the entire river basin incorporating shading were primary requirements of this modeling study. The model would be used by DEQ to set temperature limits on point source dischargers and to evaluate the impact of management strategies on river temperatures to improve fish habitat. Some of these strategies included modifications of the dam at the Willamette River Falls south of Portland and channel reconfigurations. Once the models were set-up for each section of the Willamette basin, the model was calibrated to field data and management strategies were evaluated. These are the subjects of two other reports: Annear et al. (2004) and Berger et al. (2004). This report outlines the results of implementing model scenarios for each of the model sections or elements for specific time periods. The model scenario simulation periods used to investigate management scenarios required boundary condition data that extended past the model calibration periods. The model simulation period for year 2001 was from June 1 to October 31 and for year 2002 from April 1 to October 31. Title: Willamette River Basin Temperature TMDL Model: Model Scenarios Author: Annear, Robert Leslie, McKillip, Michael Lee, Khan, Sher Jamal, Berger, Chris, Wells, Scott A. Year: 2004 The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is developing a TMDL for temperature in the Willamette River basin shown in Figure 1. The study area included the Willamette River and all major tributaries (except the Tualatin River where a TMDL process was already concluded). A large section of the Columbia River was also modeled to provide adequate boundary representation of tidal flows in the lower Willamette River. The Willamette River below the Oregon City Falls in the Portland metropolitan area has a typical diurnal tidal range of 1 m. The development of a dynamic model of temperature and hydrodynamics of the entire river basin incorporating shading were primary requirements of this modeling study. The model would be used by DEQ to set temperature limits on point source dischargers and to evaluate the impact of management strategies on river temperatures to improve fish habitat. Some of these strategies included modifications of the dam at the Willamette River Falls south of Portland and channel reconfigurations. Once the models were set-up for each section of the Willamette basin, the model was calibrated to field data and management strategies were evaluated. These are the subjects of two other reports: Annear et al. (2004) and Berger et al. (2004). This report outlines the results of implementing model scenarios for each of the model sections or elements for specific time periods. The model scenario simulation periods used to investigate management scenarios required boundary condition data that extended past the model calibration periods. The model simulation period for year 2001 was from June 1 to October 31 and for year 2002 from April 1 to October 31. Close

• 54. [Article] Streamflow Modeling of Johnson Creek Subwatersheds Using the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System

  Johnson Creek, in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan region, has several pollutants on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 303(d) list including excess heat, low dissolved oxygen, and harmful ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Streamflow Modeling of Johnson Creek Subwatersheds Using the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System Author: Malone, Theophilus M Year: 2014 Johnson Creek, in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan region, has several pollutants on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 303(d) list including excess heat, low dissolved oxygen, and harmful bacteria. Understanding streamflow response to precipitation events is an important component to evaluating water quality trends and calculating the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for pollutants of concern. Investigating the streamflow-precipitation relationship on the subwatershed scale can give insight to the hydrologic response of a given watershed. However, developing rating curves for several subwatersheds can be cost and time prohibitive. The objective of this project was to develop a hydrologic model using the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS), developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to validate streamflow estimates for subwatersheds lacking a significant period of record. ESRI’s ArcMap, a geographic information system (GIS), was used to characterize the target drainage basins and extract basin-specific parameters for upper watersheds of Johnson Creek. The Johnson Creek Upper Watershed (JCUW) model was calibrated to an existing streamflow gage at Regner Road, in Gresham, Oregon. Calibrated parameters were substituted into a second PRMS model characterizing the Sunshine Creek Subwatershed, which lies within the JCUW. The Sunshine Creek model was used to validate a flow time-series derived from a pressure transducer and a rating curve. Title: Streamflow Modeling of Johnson Creek Subwatersheds Using the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System Author: Malone, Theophilus M Year: 2014 Johnson Creek, in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan region, has several pollutants on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 303(d) list including excess heat, low dissolved oxygen, and harmful bacteria. Understanding streamflow response to precipitation events is an important component to evaluating water quality trends and calculating the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for pollutants of concern. Investigating the streamflow-precipitation relationship on the subwatershed scale can give insight to the hydrologic response of a given watershed. However, developing rating curves for several subwatersheds can be cost and time prohibitive. The objective of this project was to develop a hydrologic model using the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS), developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to validate streamflow estimates for subwatersheds lacking a significant period of record. ESRI’s ArcMap, a geographic information system (GIS), was used to characterize the target drainage basins and extract basin-specific parameters for upper watersheds of Johnson Creek. The Johnson Creek Upper Watershed (JCUW) model was calibrated to an existing streamflow gage at Regner Road, in Gresham, Oregon. Calibrated parameters were substituted into a second PRMS model characterizing the Sunshine Creek Subwatershed, which lies within the JCUW. The Sunshine Creek model was used to validate a flow time-series derived from a pressure transducer and a rating curve. Close

• 55. [Article] Willamette River Basin Temperature TMDL Model: Boundary Conditions and Model Setup

  The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is developing a TMDL for temperature in the Willamette River basin shown in Figure 1. The study area included the Willamette River and all ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Willamette River Basin Temperature TMDL Model: Boundary Conditions and Model Setup Author: Annear, Robert Leslie, McKillip, Michael Lee, Khan, Sher Jamal, Berger, Chris, Wells, Scott A. Year: 2004 The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is developing a TMDL for temperature in the Willamette River basin shown in Figure 1. The study area included the Willamette River and all major tributaries (except the Tualatin River where a TMDL process was already concluded). A large section of the Columbia River was also modeled to provide adequate boundary representation of tidal flows in the lower Willamette River. The Willamette River below the Oregon City Falls in the Portland metropolitan area has a typical diurnal tidal range of 1 m. The development of a dynamic model of temperature and hydrodynamics of the entire river basin incorporating shading were primary requirements of this modeling study. The model would be used by DEQ to set temperature limits on point source dischargers and to evaluate the impact of management strategies on river temperatures to improve fish habitat. Some of these strategies included modifications of the dam at the Willamette River Falls south of Portland and channel reconfigurations. Once the models were set-up for each section of the Willamette basin, the model was calibrated to field data and management strategies were evaluated. These are the subjects of two other reports: Annear et al. (2004b) and Berger et al. (2004). This report outlines the model development of each of these model sections or elements for both the calibration time periods and the management scenario time periods. The calibration period for each model section differs due to the availability of boundary condition data. The model simulation periods used to investigate management scenarios (Annear et al, 2004b) also required boundary condition data that extended past the calibration periods. Title: Willamette River Basin Temperature TMDL Model: Boundary Conditions and Model Setup Author: Annear, Robert Leslie, McKillip, Michael Lee, Khan, Sher Jamal, Berger, Chris, Wells, Scott A. Year: 2004 The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is developing a TMDL for temperature in the Willamette River basin shown in Figure 1. The study area included the Willamette River and all major tributaries (except the Tualatin River where a TMDL process was already concluded). A large section of the Columbia River was also modeled to provide adequate boundary representation of tidal flows in the lower Willamette River. The Willamette River below the Oregon City Falls in the Portland metropolitan area has a typical diurnal tidal range of 1 m. The development of a dynamic model of temperature and hydrodynamics of the entire river basin incorporating shading were primary requirements of this modeling study. The model would be used by DEQ to set temperature limits on point source dischargers and to evaluate the impact of management strategies on river temperatures to improve fish habitat. Some of these strategies included modifications of the dam at the Willamette River Falls south of Portland and channel reconfigurations. Once the models were set-up for each section of the Willamette basin, the model was calibrated to field data and management strategies were evaluated. These are the subjects of two other reports: Annear et al. (2004b) and Berger et al. (2004). This report outlines the model development of each of these model sections or elements for both the calibration time periods and the management scenario time periods. The calibration period for each model section differs due to the availability of boundary condition data. The model simulation periods used to investigate management scenarios (Annear et al, 2004b) also required boundary condition data that extended past the calibration periods. Close

• 56. [Article] Accommodation Space in a High-Wave-Energy Inner-Shelf During the Holocene Marine Transgression: Correlation of Onshore and Offshore Inner-Shelf Deposits (0–12 ka) in the Columbia River Littoral Cell System, Washington and Oregon, USA

  The Columbia River Littoral Cell (CRLC), a high-wave-energy littoral system, extends 160 km alongshore, generally north of the large Columbia River, and 10–15 km in across-shelf distance from paleo-beach ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Accommodation Space in a High-Wave-Energy Inner-Shelf During the Holocene Marine Transgression: Correlation of Onshore and Offshore Inner-Shelf Deposits (0–12 ka) in the Columbia River Littoral Cell System, Washington and Oregon, USA Author: Peterson, Curt D., Twichell, Dave C., Roberts, Michael C., Vanderburgh, Sandy, Hostetler, Steven Year: 2016 The Columbia River Littoral Cell (CRLC), a high-wave-energy littoral system, extends 160 km alongshore, generally north of the large Columbia River, and 10–15 km in across-shelf distance from paleo-beach backshores to about 50 m present water depths. Onshore drill holes (19 in number and 5–35 m in subsurface depth) and offshore vibracores (33 in number and 1–5 m in subsurface depth) constrain inner-shelf sand grain sizes (sample means 0.13–0.25 mm) and heavy mineral source indicators (> 90% Holocene Columbia River sand) of the inner-shelf facies (≥ 90% fine sand). Stratigraphic correlation of the transgressive ravinement surface in onshore drill holes and in offshore seismic reflection profiles provide age constraints (0–12 ka) on post-ravinement inner-shelf deposits, using paleo-sea level curves and radiocarbon dates. Post-ravinement deposit thickness (1–50 m) and long-term sedimentation rates (0.4–4.4 m ka− 1) are positively correlated to the cross-shelf gradients (0.36–0.63%) of the transgressive ravinement surface. The total post-ravinement fill volume of fine littoral sand (2.48x1010m3) in the inner-shelf represents about 2.07x106 m3 yr− 1 fine sand accumulation rate during the last 12 ka, or about one third of the estimated middle- to late-Holocene Columbia River bedload or sand discharge (5–6x106 m3 yr− 1) to the littoral zone. The fine sand accumulation in the inner-shelf represents post-ravinement accommodation space resulting from 1) geometry and depth of the transgressive ravinement surface, 2) post-ravinement sea-level rise, and 3) fine sand dispersal in the inner-shelf by combined high-wave-energy and geostrophic flow/down-welling drift currents during major winter storms. Title: Accommodation Space in a High-Wave-Energy Inner-Shelf During the Holocene Marine Transgression: Correlation of Onshore and Offshore Inner-Shelf Deposits (0–12 ka) in the Columbia River Littoral Cell System, Washington and Oregon, USA Author: Peterson, Curt D., Twichell, Dave C., Roberts, Michael C., Vanderburgh, Sandy, Hostetler, Steven Year: 2016 The Columbia River Littoral Cell (CRLC), a high-wave-energy littoral system, extends 160 km alongshore, generally north of the large Columbia River, and 10–15 km in across-shelf distance from paleo-beach backshores to about 50 m present water depths. Onshore drill holes (19 in number and 5–35 m in subsurface depth) and offshore vibracores (33 in number and 1–5 m in subsurface depth) constrain inner-shelf sand grain sizes (sample means 0.13–0.25 mm) and heavy mineral source indicators (> 90% Holocene Columbia River sand) of the inner-shelf facies (≥ 90% fine sand). Stratigraphic correlation of the transgressive ravinement surface in onshore drill holes and in offshore seismic reflection profiles provide age constraints (0–12 ka) on post-ravinement inner-shelf deposits, using paleo-sea level curves and radiocarbon dates. Post-ravinement deposit thickness (1–50 m) and long-term sedimentation rates (0.4–4.4 m ka− 1) are positively correlated to the cross-shelf gradients (0.36–0.63%) of the transgressive ravinement surface. The total post-ravinement fill volume of fine littoral sand (2.48x1010m3) in the inner-shelf represents about 2.07x106 m3 yr− 1 fine sand accumulation rate during the last 12 ka, or about one third of the estimated middle- to late-Holocene Columbia River bedload or sand discharge (5–6x106 m3 yr− 1) to the littoral zone. The fine sand accumulation in the inner-shelf represents post-ravinement accommodation space resulting from 1) geometry and depth of the transgressive ravinement surface, 2) post-ravinement sea-level rise, and 3) fine sand dispersal in the inner-shelf by combined high-wave-energy and geostrophic flow/down-welling drift currents during major winter storms. Close