Author(s): D. Milburn; T. D. Prowse
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Abstract: Suspended-sediment rating curves are often used to understand the hydraulic and sediment transport characteristics of watersheds and to calculate suspended sediment concentrations. Such curves are usually generated from data that span the open-water season. Rarely are data incorporated, or even available, from the main under-ice or dynamic break-up periods. This paper describes the significant variations that can exist in the rating curves for these differing periods. Two unique data sets, collected just before and during ice break-up in 1987 and 1993 at the Liard River in northern Canada are presented. Notably, the conventional open-water rating curve is shown to significantly underpredict suspended sediment concentrations that characterize the break-up period. Reasons for this underprediction and some of the associated environmental implications are also discussed;
Year: 1996