Estimating Stream Bank and Bed Erosion and Deposition with Innovative and Traditional Methods

Abstract

Understanding the contributions of stream bank and bed erosion will allow us to implement the most effective management practices. The objective of this study was to assess different methods to measure bank and bed erosion at different scales, specifically the watershed, reach and plot. Innovative and traditional methods were utilized. At the watershed scale, indices based on free satellite images were used. For the reach scale, indices were used, but the images with higher accuracy were purchased and captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). At the plot scale, erosion pins, cross-sections and laser scanning were applied. The watershed scale analysis showcased “hot spots”. These “hot spots” were reaches vulnerable to erosion and deposition. The indices of the purchased images were applied to these “hot spots” and allowed us to narrow the length of the reaches where UAV flights took place. These flight images located where erosion and deposition occurred. Finally, at the plot scale, laser scanning provided more detailed and accurate data at a greater scale compared to the traditional methods. The implementation of these methods allows us to find the areas vulnerable to erosion and deposition. These are the areas where nature-based solutions should be implemented to effectively mitigate erosion problems.