Kankakee River Basin: Evaluation of Sediment Management Strategies.

摘要

The Kankakee River extends from South Bend, Indiana, to its confluence with the Illinois River near Wilmington, Illinois. The river has a 5, 165- square-mile drainage area and a length of approximately 150 miles, reduced from approximately 250 miles, historically. The process of channelizing streams and draining the landscape has had impacts on the hydrology, hydraulics, sedimentation, and ecology of the watershed and channel network. Increased sediment loads associated with channelization and changed land use are a particular concern. A Section 519 Illinois River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Study is underway by the Sponsor to address these concerns, and the Kankakee River investigation reported herein was conducted in support of the restoration study. Sediment data were compiled from multiple sources and analyzed to determine average annual values of sub-basin sediment loads within the Kankakee River watershed. The Sediment Impact Analysis Methods (SIAM) model was used for rapid screening of alternatives for sediment management on a watershed scale. Sediment continuity was determined for base level conditions; then, a matrix of management strategies for various sub-basins of the watershed was evaluated to determine the relative impact of each strategy on the system sediment balance. Results are useful for planners and sediment managers interested in creating an overall sediment management plan that meets the sediment reduction goals of the restoration project.