Check dams decrease the channel complexity of intermediate reaches in the Western Carpathians

Our new article published in Science of the Total Environment focuses on potential degradation of mountain channels affected by direct human interventions. We dealt with four channel complexity dimensions (longitudinal, cross-sectional, large wood and bed sediments) of foothill and steep streams treated by check dams. We observed that check dams altered the channel complexity of intermediate reaches (i.e., reaches between subsequent check dams) when compared with reaches of undisturbed streams. A higher degradation was typical for a foothill unconfined stream (S = 0.01-0.02 m/m), where this stream completely lost its vertical bed oscillations because of the transformation of pool-riffles to a uniform plane bed morphology. On the other hand, a steep stream (S = 0.06-0.12 m/m) indicated an increase in sediment homogeneity when compared to an untreated stream, but this management did not heavily affect longitudinal or cross-sectional heterogeneity. Due to the presence of managed riparian corridors, we did not observe differences in instream wood abundance between treated and untreated streams.

Galia, T., Škarpich, V. Ruman, S., Macurová, T. (2019): Check dams decrease the channel complexity of intermediate reaches in the Western Carpathians (Czech Republic). Science of the Total Environment 662, 881-894. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.305

Participation on the traditional conference of Czech Association of Geomorphologists

We participated on the traditional conference of Czech Association of Geomorphologists. 19th International Conference "State of geomorphological research in 2019", this year titled „Český ráj ´19” was held in the Bohemian Paradise in Parkhotel Skalní Město near Jičín from 3rd to 5th April 2019. It was organized by the Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics of the CAS, in cooperation with Bohemian Paradise Geopark.

The conference venue was situated in the geomorphologically attractive area of Bohemian Paradise, near the famous Prachovské skály rock labyrinth. This unique area, formed by sandstone plateaus of Bohemian Cretaceous basin and dominant landmarks of Tertiary neovolcanic intrusions, offers some of the most spectacular landforms.

We participated with oral and poster presentations with focus on problematics of check dams in mountain streams and their effect on channel complexity, effect of instream wood on fluvial processes in the Odra River, perspectives of gravel bars in the sense of planned lock chamber construction in the lower Elbe River, a confluence hydrodynamic zone as integral part of fluvial system diversity and mapping geomorphic (dis)connectivity in the human modified landscape of the Slavíč River valley in the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts.

Proceedings were published (here).