Underwater Video, Flow and Sediment Transport Surveys to Investigate Sediment Transport Regime of St. Clair River

Contributors

Bomanna G. Krishnappan;

Abstract

Under-water video imaging of the river bed and measurement of flow and sediment transport at a number of transects in a 45 km stretch of the St. Clair River was conducted and used to draw conclusions regarding bed stability and channel conveyance. Video imaging showed that the bed in the upper St. Clair is armoured with gravel, pebbles and cobbles, while in the lower reaches of the river, the bed is covered with gravel and pebbles in the central part, and clay, silt and sand along the river edges. Bed shear stresses and sediment transport measurements in the river indicate that sediment in transport is finer than sediment forming the river bed and is from the near shore areas of lower Lake Huron; however, the high sediment transport capacity of the river suggests that hardening of the lake’s shoreline has minimal impact on river bed stability and flow conveyance. Data from the middle and lower St. Clair suggest ship traffic can have a major influence on sediment transport.

Reports:

Sediment Transport Regime of St. Clair River

Additional Data and Information

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Supporting Content (Show)

Main Topics

- St. Clair River

Questions We Asked

- Has St. Clair morphology changed since 1962, what initiated it, and when?

Key Findings

- Evidence suggests St. Clair erosion is not ongoing, but causes remain unknown

Recommendations

- Remedial measures should not be taken in the St. Clair

Tasks

- St. Clair River Sediment Regime Analysis