Landscape change and sediment yield of rivers in the northeastern US during 19th century
Abstract
During the 19th century, population growth, dam construction, and large scale forest clearing, particularly for agriculture, was followed by a massive migration to urban and industrialized centers. This led to the high degree of rural land abandonment in many parts of northeastern US. Such significant changes in land use and demography impacted sediment loading and delivery to receiving waters. The objective of this study is to assess the historical changes in sediment loading to waters as a result of land use change and related change in soil erosion, dam dynamics and sediment trapping. Various methods for assessing soil erosion, sediment yield and dam influence will be used and compared (RUSLE, BQART model, dam trapping efficiency). We expect to see 1) an accelerated erosion rates and sediment yield following forest clearing and intensification of agriculture and 2) decreased sediment delivery to estuaries with an increasing number of dams. While sediment management often focuses on fluvial corridors, our understanding of historic upland dynamics remains rudimentary. This study aims to highlight and explain the interconnectedness of the landscape-hydro system; with a particular emphasis on anthropogenic forcing and influences.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFM.H53H..07U
- Keywords:
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- 1632 GLOBAL CHANGE / Land cover change;
- 1808 HYDROLOGY / Dams;
- 1815 HYDROLOGY / Erosion;
- 1862 HYDROLOGY / Sediment transport