Bathymetry, topography, and sediment grain-size data from the Elwha River delta, Washington
Dates
Publication Date
2017-12-08
Start Date
2010-09-05
End Date
2017-07-22
Citation
Stevens, A.W., Gelfenbaum, G., Warrick, J.A., Miller, I.M., and Weiner, H.M., 2017, Bathymetry, topography, and sediment grain-size data from the Elwha River delta, Washington: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F72N51GC.
Summary
Two dams on the Elwha River, Washington State, USA trapped over 20 million m3 of sediment, reducing downstream sediment fluxes and contributing to erosion of the river's coastal delta. The removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams between 2011 and 2014 induced massive increases in river sediment supply and provided an unprecedented opportunity to examine the response of a delta system to changes in sediment supply. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed an integrated research program aimed at understanding the ecosystem responses following dam removal. The research program included repeated surveys of beach topography, nearshore bathymetry, and surface sediment grain size to quantify changes in delta morphology and texture following [...]
Summary
Two dams on the Elwha River, Washington State, USA trapped over 20 million m3 of sediment, reducing downstream sediment fluxes and contributing to erosion of the river's coastal delta. The removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams between 2011 and 2014 induced massive increases in river sediment supply and provided an unprecedented opportunity to examine the response of a delta system to changes in sediment supply. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed an integrated research program aimed at understanding the ecosystem responses following dam removal. The research program included repeated surveys of beach topography, nearshore bathymetry, and surface sediment grain size to quantify changes in delta morphology and texture following the dam removals. For more information on the USGS role in the Elwha River Restoration Project, please visit this link.
This data release currently contains bathymetry and topography data from 16 surveys performed on the Elwha River delta between 2010 and 2022 (table 1) and will be updated as data from future surveys become available. Sediment grain-size data are available for selected surveys performed after May 2012. Bathymetry and topography data collected prior to 2010 are available in Warrick and others (2007).
Nearshore bathymetry data were collected using personal watercraft (PWCs; fig. 1a), small boats, and a kayak (fig. 1b), each equipped with single-beam echosounders and survey-grade global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers. Topography data were collected by walking along survey lines with GNSS receivers mounted on backpacks (fig. 1c). Positions of the survey platforms were referenced to a GNSS base station (fig. 1d) placed on a nearby benchmark with known horizontal and vertical coordinates. Surface-sediment grain-size data are derived from physical samples collected using a small ponar, or “grab” sampler deployed from a small boat (fig. 1 e-f). More detailed information on the survey methodology is provided in the individual data releases and associated metadata.
Table 1. List of survey start dates and digital object identifiers (DOIs) of each survey
Figure 1. Photos of survey equipment used during surveys of the Elwha River delta, Washington showing A, personal watercraft, and B, kayak each equipped with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers and single-beam echosounders. C, GNSS receiver mounted on a backpack, D, GNSS base station, E, collection of surface sediment sample with a grab sampler, and F, sampling sediment from a grab sample.
References
Warrick, J.A., George, D.A., Stevens, A.W., Eshleman, J., Gelfenbaum, G., Kaminsky, G.M., Schwartz, A.K., and Bierne, M., 2007, revised 2010, Beach morphology monitoring in the Elwha River littoral cell, 2004-2009: U.S. Geological Survey, Data Series 288, v. 1.1, 59 p. and data folder [http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/288/]
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Data collection methods A) personal watercraft; B) kayak; C) GNSS receiver mounted on backpack; D) GNSS base station; E-F) ponar (grab) sampler deployed from boat.
Ritchie, A.C., and others, 2018, Morphodynamic evolution following sediment release from the world’s largest dam removal: Nature Scientific Reports, v. 8, art. 13279.
Data were obtained to assess the coastal geomorphic response following the removal of two dams on the Elwha River. These data are intended for science researchers, students, policy makers, and the general public. These data can be used with geographic information systems or other software to identify topographic and shallow-water bathymetric features.
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Data collection methods A) personal watercraft; B) kayak; C) GNSS receiver mounted on backpack; D) GNSS base station; E-F) ponar (grab) sampler deployed from boat.