Date

2004

Document Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Science & Environmental Policy

Abstract

The progression of urbanization throughout the state of California has had overwhelming and long-term effects on the state's waterways. Don Dahvee Creek appears to be physically declining because of active channel erosion due to urbanization. This erosion has affected the amount of sediment being conveyed into Lake El Estero and the Monterey Bay. For this assessment the geometry of Don Dahvee Creek, adjacent to Whole Foods Market in Monterey, CA, was examined to determine rates of erosion. Suspended sediment concentration samples (SSC) were taken in an attempt to determine if the creek is a source of water pollution due to bank erosion, creating excess sediment downstream. Using a regression model of SSC it was found that there is no significant difference between the amount of sediment in the water entering and leaving the stream reach, during low-flow conditions. The P-values from the regression of SSC against distance downstream are much greater than .01; therefore, we fail to reject the null hypothesis at 99% confidence, leading to our conclusion that the stream banks are not generating sediment during low-flow conditions. A budget analysis used for discharge determined that there is a loss of 1/3 the water between the upper and lower culvert during low-flow conditions, possibly due to infiltration. Using cross sectional data it has been determined that the best restoration plan for Don Dahvee Creek involves dressing back and stabilizing both the bed and banks with a combination of vegetation and rock, increasing the width/depth and entrenchment ratio.

Comments

Capstone Project (B.S.) Division of Science and Environmental Policy

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