Sediment Projects

Sediment Loads From the Upper Copeland Creek Watershed

map of landslides in the copeland creek watershed

2012-present

Due to the erosive geology in the headwaters of Copeland Creek, the tiny watershed (only 5.1 square miles) produces an astonishing amount of sediment. How much and what kind of sediment are produced? Where does it come from? How has the amount and type of sediment changed with settlement?

Photo: sediment analysis on alluvial fan (from Takajo 2013)


Sedimentation Rates in Fairfield Osborn Preserve Marsh

map of landslides in the copeland creek watershed

Fall 2012

A marsh at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve has been gradually filling with sediment. We quantify rates of sedimentation and successional infilling by dating cores taken from the marsh.

Photo: Kristi Yost 2012


Russian River Flood Impacts

map of landslides in the copeland creek watershed

Spring 2013

Geography students (GEOG 375 Natural Hazards -Michelle Goman) look at documentary evidence (e.g., newspaper articles) for  flooding impacts on the Russian River mainstem over the last 100 years. Working in groups, they investigate whether documentary evidence can be used to create maps of impacts. The role of atmospheric rivers in climate change processes is explored.

Photo: Rhonert Park during 2005 Flood


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