AN ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING CHANNEL MAINTENANCE FLOWS IN COLORADO1

ABSTRACT: An accounting procedure is developed which determines a flow regime that is capable of transporting an amount of bedload sediment necessary to ensure channel stability downstream. The method allows for sediment buildup in the channel within geomorphic threshold limits during low flow periods. During periods of high runoff, enough water is bypassed to transport the stored sediment. The procedure utilizes only those flows of sufficient magnitude to maintain channel stability over the long run (25–50+ years). An example is presented which determines the volume of water and frequency of release for channel maintenance purposes downstream from a hypothetical water diversion project. Of some 1,200,000 acre feet generated during a 59-year period, 86,500 acre feet was required for channel maintenance flows. Bypass flows were not required each year, but only during those years when average daily flow reached bankfull or greater. Such releases were made on 202 of the 411 days when average flows either equalled or exceeded bankfull discharge.     

CHANNEL CHANGES DOWNSTREAM FROM A DAM1

ABSTRACT: A flood-control dam was completed during 1979 on Bear Creek, a small tributary stream to the South Platte River in the Denver, Colorado, area. Before and after dam closure, repetitive surveys between 1977 and 1992 at five cross sections downstream of the dam documented changes in channel morphology. During this 15-year period, channel width increased slightly, but channel depth increased by more than 40 percent. Within the study reach, stream gradient decreased and median bed material sizes coarsened from sand in the pools and fine gravel on the rime to a median coarse gravel throughout the reach. The most striking visual change was from a sparse growth of streamside grasses to a dense growth of riparian woody vegetation.     

ASSESSING STREAM CHANNEL STABILITY THRESHOLDS USING FLOW COMPETENCE ESTIMATES AT BANKFULL STAGE1

ABSTRACT: Stream channel stability is affected by peak flows rather than average annual water yield. Timber harvesting and other land management activities that contribute to soil compaction, vegetation removal, or increased drainage density can increase peak discharges and decrease the recurrence interval of bankfull discharges. Increased peak discharges can cause more frequent movement of large streambed materials, leading to more rapid stream channel change or instability. This study proposes a relationship between increased discharge and channel stability, and presents a methodology that can be used to evaluate stream channel stability thresholds on a stream reach basis. Detailed surveys of the channel cross section, water surface slope, streambed particle size distribution, and field identification of bankfull stage are used to estimate existing bankfull flow conditions. These site specific stream channel characteristics are used in bed load movement formulae to predict critical flow conditions for entrainment of coarse bed material (D₈₄ size fraction). The “relative bed stability” index, defined as the ratio of critical flow condition to the existing condition at bankfull discharge, can predict whether increased peak discharges will exceed stream channel thresholds.     

PARAMETRIC/NONPARAMETRIC MIXTURE DENSITY ESTIMATION WITH APPLICATION TO FLOOD-FREQUENCY ANALYSIS1

Much attention has been invested in the model choice problem for peak annual flows, in the context of flood frequency analysis. The authors would sidestep this dilemma through non-parametric density estimation methodology, but recognize that the standard nonparametric estimators preclude the use of prior information and related data, and furthermore have virtually no tail at all. Here we offer a remedy for these inadequacies by introducing an estimator which mixes parametric and nonparametric density estimates. We prove that our mixture rule is consistent. By this procedure, we do allow incorporation of prior information, experience, and regional data information, but nevertheless provide a safeguard against incorrect model choice.     

黄土高原丘陵沟壑区坡面-沟道系统中的高含沙水流(Ⅱ)--泥沙存储-释放及降雨、径流特征的影响

以黄河中游多沙粗沙区子洲径流站和离石王家沟试验站的径流场观测资料为基础，对黄土高原丘陵沟壑区坡沟系统中高含沙水流特征进行了研究。研究表明，在坡面-沟道系统中，存在着泥沙的存贮-释放机制，这一机制与非高含沙水流和高含沙水流不同的输沙行为有关。当水流为非高含沙水流时，来自坡面和悬移质泥沙中的粗粒部分可在沟道中发生沉积；当为高含沙水流时，前期沉积的粗粒泥沙将因沟道高含沙水流强烈的侵蚀搬运作用而发生释放。降雨对坡沟系统高含沙水流的形成关系密切。在冲沟次降雨最大含沙量与雨强的关系中，表现出两个临界值。超过第一个临界值以后，含沙量急剧增大；超过第二个临界值之后，则出现极限含沙量，即含沙量不再随雨强的增大而增大。     

流场状态对渡槽槽体结构风载体形系数的影响

对矩形和U形渡槽槽体在均匀流场和湍流场中各取不同的高宽比进行了风洞试验,分别测量了槽内有水和无水两种情况下槽体各个部位的风压系数,进而算得了渡槽结构的风载体型系数.试验结果表明,湍流对渡槽槽体结构风载体形系数有显著影响,研究成果可为渡槽结构的抗风设计提供参考依据.     

Links between food trade,climate change and food security in developed countries: A case study of Sweden

Food security is a global concern affecting even highly developed countries. Ongoing globalisation of food systems, characterised by trading interdependencies, means that agricultural production can be disrupted by climate change, affecting food availability. This study investigated Sweden’s food security by identifying major food import categories and associated trade partners (using the World Integrated Trade System database) and vulnerability to frictions in trade deriving from climate change. Vulnerability was assessed through three indicators: exposure based on diversity of sources, dominance and direct trade from supplying countries; sensitivity, assessed using the Climate Risk Index, and adaptive capacity, assessed using the Fragile State Index. The results revealed that Sweden’s grain imports may be most vulnerable, and animal products least vulnerable, to climate change. Management strategies based on this preliminary assessment can be developed by integrating climate vulnerability deriving from food trading into the ‘Gravity’ model, to improve prediction of trade flows.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13280-021-01623-w.     

黄土高原丘陵沟壑区坡面-沟道系统中的高含沙水流(Ⅰ)--地貌因素与重力侵蚀的影响

以黄河中游多沙粗沙区子洲径流站和离石王家沟试验站的径流场观测资料为基础,对黄土高原丘陵沟壑区坡沟系统中高含沙水流特征与地貌因素及重力侵蚀的关系进行了研究.研究结果表明,黄土坡面的地貌垂直结构和由此所决定的侵蚀作用垂直分异,对坡面高含沙水流的形成有很大的影响,高含沙水流形成于峁坡下部和沟坡,并在各级沟道中进一步发展.坡度对高含沙水流的形成有较大影响,如果侵蚀过程以溅蚀、面蚀、细沟侵蚀为主,不发生切沟及显著的重力侵蚀,则存在着一个坡度临界值,大于此值后,含沙量反而减小.重力侵蚀对坡沟系统高含沙水流的形成起着十分重要的作用,由于强烈的重力侵蚀的参与,高含沙水流的沙峰滞后于洪峰,落水阶段的含沙量常常大于同流量下涨水阶段的含沙量.     

Finding Common Ground: How Advocacy Coalitions Succeed in Protecting Environmental Flows1

Abstract: This paper reviews several recent case studies in which states or countries have strengthened their protection of environmental flows to explore the key policy, stakeholder, and scientific elements that contributed to these advances in water management. A conceptual framework is developed to describe the actions of interest groups and individuals, how environmental flow issues get onto the formal agenda of decision makers, the events and conditions which precipitate this attention, the role of science and scientific uncertainty, and how interactions and dialog among individuals and groups with different interests lead to changes in state and national statutes. In general, the review found that changing policies is a result of actions of informed groups of interested parties using science and information to inform both the public and decision makers about the need for action and about the specific action needed. In almost all cases, environmental flow issues make it onto the formal agenda of institutions through one or more precipitating events, often legal challenges that call into question the existing legal framework for water management. Significantly, in almost all cases the engagement between advocacy coalitions with different and often opposing views results in reframing the issues to provide a common approach or solution upon which the competing coalitions can agree.     

Balancing Water Resources Development and Environmental Sustainability in Africa: A Review of Recent Research Findings and Applications

Sustainable development in Africa is dependent on increasing use of the continent’s water resources without significantly degrading ecosystem services that are also fundamental to human wellbeing. This is particularly challenging in Africa because of high spatial and temporal variability in the availability of water resources and limited amounts of total water availability across expansive semi-arid portions of the continent. The challenge is compounded by ambitious targets for increased water use and a rush of international funding to finance development activities. Balancing development with environmental sustainability requires (i) understanding the boundary conditions imposed by the continent’s climate and hydrology today and into the future, (ii) estimating the magnitude and spatial distribution of water use needed to meet development goals, and (iii) understanding the environmental water requirements of affected ecosystems, their current status and potential consequences of increased water use. This article reviews recent advancements in each of these topics and highlights innovative approaches and tools available to support sustainable development. While much remains to be learned, scientific understanding and technology should not be viewed as impediments to sustainable development on the continent.