Channel Responses to Urbanization: Scull and Mud Creeks in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Abstract

Urbanization has several effects on the controls on stream morphology. In order to provide a basis for future study, and to determine whether changes in urban stream-channel morphology can be detected in a short time period, two urban streams in Fayetteville, Arkansas were chosen for repeat cross-section measurement and suspended sediment sampling over 18 months. Standard U.S. Geological Survey measurement and sampling techniques were used. An overall decrease in mean depth was observed over the study period. Significant channel variation occurred where there was ongoing development and channel obstruction. Channel stability was observed in locations with diverse riparian vegetation. Channel shape varied with land use in the study area. Sites with more disturbances in the near-channel environment were variable over the course of the study, exhibiting a complex response to several types of disturbances.

Keywords:

• stream-channel adjustment
• urban stream channels
• geomorphic effects of urbanization
• Arkansas