Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2012KS125B

Impacts of In-channel Dredging on the Morphology of the Kansas River

Institute: Kansas
Year Established: 2012 Start Date: 2012-03-01 End Date: 2014-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $23,333 Total Non-Federal Funds: $56,684

Principal Investigators: Melinda Daniels

Abstract: Project goals and objectives: The primary goal of this research is to evaluate the impacts of in-channel sediment dredging operations on the main stem of the Kansas River. Specific objectives are to: 1) directly measure dredge hole behavior over time and varying water discharges, 2) directly measure active bedload sediment transport in dredged and un-dredged reaches, and 3) model rates and spatial extents of channel incision and bank erosion that can be expected under various scenarios of dredge operations. The proposed work will contribute directly to the objectives outlined in the Kansas Water Plan as well as to the body of scientific knowledge regarding mining impacts in river systems.