Mississippi River and Tributaries Project Mississippi River Geomorphology and Potamology Program

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1 Mississippi River and Tributaries Project Mississippi River Geomorphology and Potamology Program Barb Kleiss, Mississippi Valley Division Freddie Pinkard, Vicksburg District June, 2016

2 Program Objectives To support and advance the Mississippi River Commission s Potamology agenda To investigate a series of geomorphically-related questions and problems that developed in the Mississippi River during the 2011 flood To support the Mississippi River Flowline study To relocate, archive, and make available historical Mississippi River potamology reports for use in current decision-making To conduct a series of system-wide investigations that will improve our understanding of the Mississippi River from the watershed perspective To involve and mentor a group of younger potamologists and river engineers and scientists and increase their familiarity with historical data and system-wide issues

Mississippi River Middle and Lower Mississippi River Sediment Budget Development of Next Generation Geomorphic Assessment Tools

3 District-Specific Geomorphic Projects Ecohydrology System-wide Efforts Program Tasks Evaluation of Existing Data One-Dimensional Sediment Transport Modeling System-wide Field Data Collection Geomorphic Assessment Geomorphic Assessment of the Lower and Middle Mississippi River Middle and Lower Mississippi River Sediment Budget Development of Next Generation Geomorphic Assessment Tools Assessment of Channel Improvement Features Development of Mississippi Valley Division G&P Capabilities Technology Transfer Technical Reviews Mentoring

4 District Specific Projects 4

Ecohydology in the Lower River Remote High-Resolution Classification of Batture Vegetation and Secondary Channel Connectivity using Small Unmanned Aircraft Evaluation of Ecological Value of Sandbars

5 Ecohydology in the Lower River Remote High-Resolution Classification of Batture Vegetation and Secondary Channel Connectivity using Small Unmanned Aircraft Evaluation of Ecological Value of Sandbars in the Lower River Identification of Pallid Sturgeon Origin Using Stable Isotope Chemistry Application of Telemetry to Evaluate Movement and Habitat Use of Pallid Sturgeon Island 63 Multidisciplinary Study

Ecohydrology Island 63 Purpose: Better understand how river regulation influences patterns of water flow, sediment transport,

Objectives and Deliverables: Identify ecotones, which are those areas of hydrologic connectivity transferring water and its

Evaluate seasonal relationships between hydrogeomorphic process and biodiversity of fish and other aquatic organisms at

Identify environmental and geomorphic variables that can be used to predict biotic responses of T&E, commercial, and

6 Ecohydrology Island 63 Purpose: Better understand how river regulation influences patterns of water flow, sediment transport, and habitat complexity. This is an interdisciplinary study as designed. Objectives and Deliverables: Identify ecotones, which are those areas of hydrologic connectivity transferring water and its constituents between river channel and floodplain. Evaluate seasonal relationships between hydrogeomorphic process and biodiversity of fish and other aquatic organisms at representative reaches in the LMR. Identify environmental and geomorphic variables that can be used to predict biotic responses of T&E, commercial, and recreational species to changes in habitat complexity. Determine the relative importance of allochthonous vs. autochthonous organic matter along a connectivity gradient in the Lower Mississippi River. Monitor cycling of nutrients between the floodplain and channel Recommend ecosystem restoration measures to mitigate adverse impacts of river regulation Island 63 Reach

7 Topographic Map Island 63 Chute Notched Dike

8 Graveyard connected at upstream end to river Mississippi River cross-section elevations at Graveyard upstream connection Glory Hole connected at downstream end to river Mississippi River cross-section elevations at Glory Hole downstream connection

9 (Preliminary observation) During this 10-year period, Glory Hole was connected at the downstream end 34% of the time. Glory Hole Downstream Connection

10 BUILDING STRONG

11 New Receivers at ORCC

12 The Mississippi River System Perceived Societal Priorities NAVIGATION FRM ENVIRONMENTAL MVP MVR MVS MVM MVK MVN

13 Bed Sediment Collection

14 Width between Levees or Valley Wall (miles) Mississippi River Floodplain Width Between Levees Cutoffs RM (AHP)

15 BUILDING STRONG

16 Broad Scale Stage Trends Innovative solutions for a safer, better world

17 Channel Volume by Mile Segments Cumulative volume change identifies spatial trends and rates of change between time periods. Innovative solutions for a safer, better world

Algiers Lock Belle Chase West Pointe La Hache Little, C. and Biedenharn, D. 2014.

18 Geomorphic Reach Assessment 1970s to 2000s Morganza Tarbert s Landing St. Francisville Aggradation Dynamic Equilibrium Degradation Baton Rouge Donaldsonville Algiers Lock Belle Chase West Pointe La Hache Little, C. and Biedenharn, D Mississippi River Hydrodynamic and Delta Management Study Geomorphic Assessment. In press. 18

19 Uses for Suspended Sediment Measurements The MSS data is important for numerical model calibration/validation and interpretation. It was also noted that the inclusion of sand gradation data as part of the MSS data would greatly enhance the applicability of the data. Another important use of the MSS data is in the development of broad scale sediment budgets for the Mississippi River system, particularly with respect to the delivery of fine sediments. Observation of long term changes in sediment loads would be beneficial to Climate Change impacts increased/decreased loads may be indicative of changing denudation rates in the basin, as well as changes in land use. MSS data can provide additional information about potential inputs/health/nutrients to floodplain and delta plain wetlands. Dam capacity as dams fill with sediment in the system there may be stage/flowline response but as the dams fill, sediment may be passed downstream. Hence MSS data may provide an independent indicator of reduced dam capacity. MSS data is valuable for environmental studies, particularly with respect to water quality and nutrients.

20 Major Causes of Land Loss Coastal Louisiana Barrier Island Degradation Storms Oil & Gas Development Canals Levee System Subsidence Sea Level Rise Herbivory Saltwater Intrusion Sediment Reduction Cypress Harvesting "Land Area Change in Coastal Louisiana from 1932 to 2010." USGS, (Green areas indicate land gain, all other colors indicate land loss during some particular time period.)

21 BUILDING STRONG

22 Water and Sediment Budgets Allison, et. al A water and sediment budget for the lower Mississippi-Atchafalaya River in flood years : J. of Hydrology. 22

23 Suspended Sediment Sampling Locations on the Middle and Lower Mississippi River USGS Sites USACE Sites 00 USGS/USACE Joint Sites Proposed Sites 140

24 Preliminary Recommendations Suspended sediment samples on the Mississippi River should be depth integrated samples. Gradations for the sand component of the MSS will be analyzed. Bed material samples will be collected at each vertical whenever MSS data are collected. MSS data should be collected as frequently as funding allows. The nation-wide USGS collection program includes collecting samples 14 times per year. Sampling established under the Geomorphology and Potamology program provides for sampling 18 times per year, which equates to once a month plus 6 additional sampling efforts during high water events. All the recommended field and laboratory techniques should follow USGS Standard Operating Procedures.

25 Early Reports from the New Program technology/msrivergeomorphologypotamology.aspx

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE IN COASTAL RESTORATION IN LOUISIANA

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE IN COASTAL RESTORATION IN LOUISIANA Barb Kleiss USACE, Mississippi Valley Division August 3, 2011 LCA S&T Office Authorized under WRDA 2007 Designed to address technical issues