Bed load transport monitoring using seismic observations in a low-gradient rural gravel bed stream

Abstract

The characterization of bed load transport in rivers is critical for the fundamental understanding and management of fluvial systems. Bed load monitoring based on seismological observations has recently emerged as a viable noninvasive measurement technique. However, applications of this new approach have been hitherto restricted to the case of sediment transport in steep mountain rivers. Here we further develop and evaluate the approach for a lower gradient gravel bed stream in a rural catchment using seismic observations, in situ hydroacoustic measurements of bed load motion (impact-plate-type device), and 3-D hydromorphodynamic modeling. The results of this joint analysis of seismic measurements, hydroacoustic records, and sediment transport simulations show that the seismic monitoring technique for bed load transport characterization is applicable for a broader range of river systems than previously investigated.