KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Theses
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Theses
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Geoprocessing Approaches to Delineate Impoundments and Characterize Subcatchments within Kansas Reservoir Drainages

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Cleary_ku_0099M_15096_DATA_1.pdf (4.792Mb)
    Issue Date
    2017-05-31
    Author
    Cleary, Andrew
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    169 pages
    Type
    Thesis
    Degree Level
    M.S.
    Discipline
    Geography
    Rights
    Copyright held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Federal reservoirs in Kansas are presently undergoing infill at varying rates and represent a growing concern, as these features are integral to the state’s infrastructure and projected dredging required to restore capacities are substantial. Kansas exhibits a unique hydrography by having some of the highest densities of small impoundments in the United States. Previous studies have highlighted the potential of impoundments to act as significant sinks for sediment. However, their significance within Kansas reservoir drainages and potential service in mitigating downstream reservoir sediment yields is not well understood. This thesis seeks to improve understanding of small impoundments distributions and significance in relation to reservoir sediment yield through two stages. Chapter 2 applies elevation-based methods of impoundment identification using newly available LiDAR-derived Digital Elevation Models (DEM) in order to enhance Kansas reservoir drainage inventories relative to relying solely on the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). The two DEM-based methodologies resulted in the identification of features absent in the NHD, and accuracy testing showed both DEM-based methodologies produce more accurate surface area geometries. In turn, the two approaches can be used to update and improve accuracy of inventories relative to using the NHD exclusively. Chapter 3 delineates small impoundment catchment areas within nine eastern Kansas reservoir drainages and compares erosion-related traits in the context of impoundment catchment and direct runoff. The majority of sediment presently infilling Kansas reservoirs has been noted as originating from channel-bank erosion sources, not overland sources. Since impoundments are potentially positioned in the path of channel-bank eroded material, better understanding both their distribution and their potential sediment trapping is an important aspect of reservoir drainage yield modeling and management. By investigating erosion-related factors for reservoir drainages and addressing impoundment catchment, several possible trends were observed. For example, contrasting impoundment size distributions were observed in the highest and lowest drainage sediment yields. Impoundments tend to be more abundant in reaches and grassland areas, while they decrease in abundance closer to reservoirs and in cropland areas. Additionally, average catchment area for small impoundments in the region is much smaller than previous estimates, which may suggest smaller sediment loads reaching impoundments. This thesis demonstrates new approaches to investigating potential trends relating to reservoir sedimentation and suggests several avenues for further research. As LiDAR-derived DEMs become increasingly available, methods such as those demonstrated in Chapter 2 are particularly valuable. Not only does this project highlight potential inaccuracies of the NHD, but it presents automated and easily repeatable methods to enhance NHD-based inventories in other regions. Chapter 3 considers the significance of small impoundments when investigating potential sources of difference in Kansas reservoir drainage yields, which is a component often absent in drainage scale erosion modeling. Given the abundance of small impoundments for the region and the projected costs of reservoir restoration, this study provides insight into the significance of small impoundments in connection to a growing concern. By better assessing the factors responsible for differing rates of infill among reservoir drainages, reservoir drainage management may make more informed decisions. Additionally, this project also capitalizes on the growing abundance of LiDAR-derived DEMs, and demonstrates their value in delineating small impoundment catchment to better understand their role as mitigators of downstream sediment yield.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/25801
    Collections
    • Theses [3711]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps