Characterizing the Geomorphic Role of Large Wood in Non-Urban NE Ohio Streams
Location
PANEL: Interdisciplinary Discussions of Ecological Dynamics & Evolutionary Processes
Mudd 113
Moderator: Thom Dawkins
Document Type
Presentation - Open Access
Start Date
4-25-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
4-25-2025 11:00 AM
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated the ecogeomorphic role of large wood (LW) in rivers. LW traps sediment, affects channel geometry, and provides habitat. The widespread acceptance of the importance of LW in riverscape processes is demonstrated by the extensive application of LW manipulation to river restoration projects in the Western U.S. and beyond. However, our understanding of LW dynamics has been largely developed in rivers in mountain landscapes, in unglaciated lowlands, and/or in highly forested catchments. The rivers in Northeast Ohio, by contrast, are postglacial, till-bed, low slope streams that once flowed through hardwood forest and woody wetlands, and now primarily drain cropland. This study aimed to investigate abundance and mobility of LW in non-urban streams in NE Ohio by conducting LW surveys at three streams in Lorain County and analyzing geomorphic characteristics. We follow Blauch & Jefferson (2019), who performed a similar study on urban streams in neighboring counties and found extent of riparian forest buffer and impervious surface cover to be important factors in overall highly mobile wood dynamics. We propose further research on wood in postglacial rivers in order to tailor the approaches of river restoration projects and to best understand channel processes inherent to a generalized river versus a particular place.
Keywords:
Streams, Geomorphology, Large wood, Land use
Recommended Citation
Dobbins, Kira, "Characterizing the Geomorphic Role of Large Wood in Non-Urban NE Ohio Streams" (2025). Research Symposium. 3.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2025/presentations/3
Major
Geology
Environmental Studies
Project Mentor(s)
Amanda Schmidt, Geosciences
2025
Characterizing the Geomorphic Role of Large Wood in Non-Urban NE Ohio Streams
PANEL: Interdisciplinary Discussions of Ecological Dynamics & Evolutionary Processes
Mudd 113
Moderator: Thom Dawkins
Numerous studies have demonstrated the ecogeomorphic role of large wood (LW) in rivers. LW traps sediment, affects channel geometry, and provides habitat. The widespread acceptance of the importance of LW in riverscape processes is demonstrated by the extensive application of LW manipulation to river restoration projects in the Western U.S. and beyond. However, our understanding of LW dynamics has been largely developed in rivers in mountain landscapes, in unglaciated lowlands, and/or in highly forested catchments. The rivers in Northeast Ohio, by contrast, are postglacial, till-bed, low slope streams that once flowed through hardwood forest and woody wetlands, and now primarily drain cropland. This study aimed to investigate abundance and mobility of LW in non-urban streams in NE Ohio by conducting LW surveys at three streams in Lorain County and analyzing geomorphic characteristics. We follow Blauch & Jefferson (2019), who performed a similar study on urban streams in neighboring counties and found extent of riparian forest buffer and impervious surface cover to be important factors in overall highly mobile wood dynamics. We propose further research on wood in postglacial rivers in order to tailor the approaches of river restoration projects and to best understand channel processes inherent to a generalized river versus a particular place.
