evaluation of geomorphic reclamation performance and models in the southwestern united states m....
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern
United States
M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell, W. Rider, and S. Perkins
Presented by Colin Byrne, June 5th, 2013
2013 Joint Conference2nd Wyoming Reclamation and Restoration Symposium and
30th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mining & Reclamation
![Page 2: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Study Background• 2 year study began in August 2012• Funded by Office of Surface Mining• Working in collaboration with BHP-
Billitono La Plata Mine
• Results and Conclusions will be developed as research continues
![Page 3: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
La Plata Mine, New Mexico
• Open pit mine that produced coal until 2002• Over 800 hectares in size• Approx. 6000 ft elevation• Approx. 12 inches of annual precipitation• Reclaimed using GeoFluvTM approach
![Page 4: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Objectives1. Evaluate the effectiveness of geomorphic
reclamation at producing conditions that closely mimic those found in natural analog basins and channels
2. Assess the effectiveness of watershed models in informing the geomorphic reclamation processo Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP)o Sediment, Erosion, Discharge by Computer Aided Design (SEDCAD)
3. Investigate the long-term stability of reclaimed land including the impacts of extreme events
![Page 5: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Selection of Watersheds
• Three watersheds selected due to similarities in slope, aspect, and sizeo Well Vegetated Reclaimed Siteo Moderately-Vegetated Reclaimed Siteo Undisturbed Natural Site
• Watersheds sit within 2.5 km of one another
![Page 6: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Selection of Watersheds
Undisturbed Natural Watershed
Well Vegetated Reclaimed Watershed
Moderately Vegetated Reclaimed Watershed
![Page 7: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Objective 1
• Evaluate the effectiveness of geomorphic reclamation at producing conditions that closely mimic those found in natural analog basins and channels
![Page 8: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Field Sampling• In situ soil measurements
o Temperatureo Moisture contento Vegetation
• Disturbed soil samplingo Particle size distributiono Specific gravityo Organic mattero Cation exchange capacity
• Undisturbed soil samplingo Saturated hydraulic conductivityo Water retention curves
• Check-dams installed• V-notch weirs installed
![Page 9: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Field Sampling
![Page 10: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Field Site Soil Characteristics
![Page 11: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Field Site Soil Characteristics
![Page 12: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Objective 2
• Assess the effectiveness of watershed models in informing the geomorphic reclamation process
o How well do the models predict runoff and erosion totals from sites?
o How much field collected data is necessary to produce reasonable results?
![Page 13: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP)
• Development by the USDA began in 1985 to expand upon the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)o USLE – gives annual erosion predictionso WEPP – spatial and temporal information about erosion and
deposition on a hillslope or watershed
![Page 14: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Applications of WEPP• Agricultural Sites• Forested Sites• Rangeland Sites• Geomorphic Reclamation Sites at La Plata
Mine
![Page 15: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
WEPP OverviewModel Inputs
o Define the Topography • Hillslope• Watershed
o Channels, hillslope, impoundments, outlets
o Climate datao Soil datao Vegetation management
Model Output (annual basis)o Runoff Volumes and Hydrographso Sediment yieldso Characteristics of Eroded Sediment
![Page 16: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Delineation of Watersheds
![Page 17: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Study Watersheds at La Plata Mine
0 to 100 % slope
![Page 18: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Importing Watersheds to WEPP Model
![Page 19: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Defining Hillslopes
Hillslope defined by cross-section taken in Arc-GIS
Hillslope defined by 10 equidistant slope points
Hillslope defined by simplified S-shape using average slope
![Page 20: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
WEPP Watershed Approaches
• Natural, Well Vegetated, & Moderately Vegetatedo Cross-section Hillslopeo 10 slope points Hillslopeo Simplified S-shape Hillslope
![Page 21: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Initial WEPP Results
• WEPP model unable to handle the complexities of the cross-sectional description of the hillslope
![Page 22: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
WEPP Runoff Prediction
![Page 23: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
WEPP Erosion Prediction – Hillslope Approaches
![Page 24: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
WEPP Erosion Prediction – Watershed Approaches
![Page 25: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Effects of Increased Vegetation at Reclaimed
Sites
![Page 26: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Future Work• Future research using GeoWEPP will aid in more
accurate watershed delineation methods.o WEPP is limited to rectangular shaped hillslopes in addition to limited
access points along channels
![Page 27: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Objective 3
• Investigate the long-term stability of reclaimed land including the impacts of extreme events
![Page 28: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Conclusions• Early model runs hint that geomorphic
reclamation sites are successful in producing erosion totals similar to natural basins
• WEPP hillslopes and watersheds can not be too complex, as the model will over predict sediment yields
• Check-dams and V-notch weirs should help to inform the accuracy of model predictions, as well as aid in calibration of model
![Page 29: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Acknowledgements
![Page 30: Evaluation of Geomorphic Reclamation Performance and Models in the Southwestern United States M. Stone, J. Stormont, E. Epp, C. Byrne, S. Rahman, R. Powell,](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649cc35503460f9498b046/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Questions?