HR: 1340h
AN: H53C-1280    [Abstracts]
TI: Assessing River Channel Change Along Urbanizing Mountain Fronts
AU: * Chin, A
EM: chin@tamu.edu
AF: Texas A&M University, Department of Geography, College Station, TX 77843 United States
AU: Gregory, K J
EM: Ken.Gregory@btinternet.com
AF: University of Southampton, Department of Geography, Southampton, SO17 1BJ United Kingdom
AB: Comparatively few studies of channel change following urbanization have been undertaken in steep dryland environments. However, as urbanization encroaches upon mountain fronts in response to population growth, a comprehensive understanding of channel change in these settings is increasingly important for developing successful management strategies. This investigation follows the development of Fountain Hills, a newly urbanizing community flanking the eastern foothills of the McDowell Mountains of Arizona, as a representative example of urban impacts along sensitive physical settings. Surveys conducted since 1987 show that a spatial pattern of channel adjustment has developed in response to road crossings that repeatedly intersect the stream channels, delivering increased runoff and interrupting the flow of water and sediment into such channels. This paper summarizes the channel changes that have occurred since 1987, and suggests a dynamic catchment approach for managing such impacted systems. This approach accounts for spatial variations in channel adjustment and allows consideration of community views. The example of Fountain Hills gives a basis for assessing change and comparing the rates and manner of channel adjustment to those around the world.
DE: 6620 Science policy
DE: 1803 Anthropogenic effects
DE: 1815 Erosion and sedimentation
DE: 1821 Floods
DE: 1824 Geomorphology (1625)
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting