Hydrology: Attributes of a Healthy Stream

An alluvial stream is one whose channel is composed of the sediments transported by the stream itself and that generally changes the shape of its bed as the rate of flow changes. (Adapted from Attributes of an alluvial river and their relation to water policy and management by Trash, McBain, and Leopold).

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Attribute Eight: natural Stream Fows Sustain Diverse Riparian Communities

All the various flows—base, bankfull, riparian, and floodplain flows—are necessary to create and maintain diverse riparian plant communities.

Riparian plant communities along the Jocko River are adapted to constantly changing flows. They develop over time as a direct result of flooding disturbances and are closely linked to and dependent on channel river processes.

Floods, for example, scour point bars, cause the channel to migrate, and inundate and scour the floodplain, all of which create the conditions necessary for an array of different plant communities.

Complex in terms of physical structure and plant species richness, forested riparian areas provide shade, contribute large wood to the stream channel, and provide habitat for mammals, birds, amphibians, and fish.

Natural stream flows, including baseflows, bankfull, riparian, and floodplain flows, create and sustain diverse riparian plant communities.

Hydrology: Attributes of a Healthy Stream

An alluvial stream is one whose channel is composed of the sediments transported by the stream itself and that generally changes the shape of its bed as the rate of flow changes. (Adapted from Attributes of an alluvial river and their relation to water policy and management by Trash, McBain, and Leopold).

My Image

Attribute Eight: natural Stream Fows Sustain Diverse Riparian Communities

All the various flows—base, bankfull, riparian, and floodplain flows—are necessary to create and maintain diverse riparian plant communities.

Riparian plant communities along the Jocko River are adapted to constantly changing flows. They develop over time as a direct result of flooding disturbances and are closely linked to and dependent on channel river processes.

Floods, for example, scour point bars, cause the channel to migrate, and inundate and scour the floodplain, all of which create the conditions necessary for an array of different plant communities.

Complex in terms of physical structure and plant species richness, forested riparian areas provide shade, contribute large wood to the stream channel, and provide habitat for mammals, birds, amphibians, and fish.

Natural stream flows, including baseflows, bankfull, riparian, and floodplain flows, create and sustain diverse riparian plant communities.

Hydrology: Attributes of a Healthy Stream

An alluvial stream is one whose channel is composed of the sediments transported by the stream itself and that generally changes the shape of its bed as the rate of flow changes. (Adapted from Attributes of an alluvial river and their relation to water policy and management by Trash, McBain, and Leopold).


Attribute Eight: natural Stream Fows Sustain Diverse Riparian Communities

All the various flows—base, bankfull, riparian, and floodplain flows—are necessary to create and maintain diverse riparian plant communities.

Riparian plant communities along the Jocko River are adapted to constantly changing flows. They develop over time as a direct result of flooding disturbances and are closely linked to and dependent on channel river processes.

Floods, for example, scour point bars, cause the channel to migrate, and inundate and scour the floodplain, all of which create the conditions necessary for an array of different plant communities.

Complex in terms of physical structure and plant species richness, forested riparian areas provide shade, contribute large wood to the stream channel, and provide habitat for mammals, birds, amphibians, and fish.

Natural stream flows, including baseflows, bankfull, riparian, and floodplain flows, create and sustain diverse riparian plant communities.