For instance, how well does the STEPL model (or model inputs) account for stream erosion, agricultural practices, or the presence of extensive wetlands? Does the geologist’s understanding of the relationship between land use/urbanization and sedimentation adequately explain the record, or are there other factors included in the model (such as stream erosion or wetlands) that should be addressed as well? Are there remaining questions related to either watershed management or the geologic history that might be better answered with a different methodology or more focused study? It is not feasible to conduct detailed

sediment core analyses for every stream or subwatershed. However, where such a detailed history spanning decades can be determined, a comparison of the sediment record with watershed modeling can prove instructive and supportive to geologic and watershed work throughout selleck chemicals llc the region. The Gorge Dam is no longer a source of hydropower or cooling water

storage and is being evaluated for removal (Vradenburg, 2012). The sediment in the impoundment will be pumped out and contained on land, so it does not adversely PCI 32765 impact downstream environments (Vradenburg, 2012). Once the dam is removed the impoundment reach will change from a region of deposition to one of non-deposition and erosion. The impoundment reach will take on the characteristics observed immediately upstream of today’s L-NAME HCl impoundment where the river is swift, shallow, narrow, contains boulders and flows on bedrock. On September 18, 2011, a day of near average flow, we measured maximum flow velocities of 1.6 m s−1 and a water area of 11.6 m2 upstream of the

impoundment. Following the Gorge Dam removal the 900 m2 impounded water area will decrease to about 12 m2 and produce a dramatic increase in flow velocity. In addition, the nearly flat (0.00027 mm−1) impoundment water surface will increase to its steep pre-dam slope (0.014 mm−1), thus increasing boundary shear stress. As a result of these changes, the Cuyahoga River will have a greater ability to transport sediment and result in sediment bypassing within the gorge. These future conditions are similar to the photographically documented conditions in the gorge area before the dam was constructed (Whitman et al., 2010, pp. 35–36; McClure, 2012). This study helps to constrain the estimates of future increase in sediment load to the Lower Cuyahoga River should the Gorge Dam be removed. Downstream, the Port of Cleveland includes 9.3 km of channel in the lower Cuyahoga River and requires 250,000 m3 of sediment to be annually dredged in order to remain navigable (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012). As the nation’s 48th largest port, the Port of Cleveland is an important economic asset, and potential changes to dredging needs are relevant (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012).