LATEST ENHANCEMENTS TO THE RIVERMorph STREAM RESTORATION SOFTWARE J. George Athanasakes, PE RIVERMorph, LLC 1901 Nelson Miller Parkway Louisville, KY 40223-2177 233
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH J. George Athanasakes, PE J. George Athanasakes has a diverse background which includes stream restoration, water resources, and watershed management. For over a decade, Mr. Athanasakes has served as the project manager and/or design engineer on numerous stream restoration projects throughout the United States incorporating natural channel design principles and soil bioengineering techniques. Mr. Athanasakes has served as the Project Manager for the development of the RIVERMorph software since its inception and continues to oversee the development of the software. Due to his efforts in advancing the field of stream restoration, Mr. Athanasakes recently received an Achievement in Private Practice Award from the Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers. 234
LATEST ENHANCEMENTS TO THE RIVERMorph STREAM RESTORATION SOFTWARE J. George Athanasakes, PE RIVERMorph, LLC 1901 Nelson Miller Parkway Louisville, KY 40223-2177 ABSTRACT The RIVERMorph software was developed in 2002 for the purposes of simplifying the process of assessing, monitoring and designing streams using natural channel design techniques. The software features a comprehensive database and an intuitive state-of-the art graphical user interface (GUI). The program has the ability to process all types of geomorphic data typically collected on stream restoration projects, including biological and channel stability assessments. The software also features a GIS interface to measure plan form geomorphic parameters from aerial photographs and GIS coverages. Over the years the software has continued to be enhanced as the field of stream restoration evolves. Last year, a Pocket PC version of the software was introduced, which provides key RIVERMorph data input screens in a Pocket PC format which easily syncs with the desktop version of the software. Pocket RIVERMorph also allows the user to calculate several key bankfull parameters in the field, which allows the user to validate data while still at the site. The software now also includes the PowerSed sediment transport model developed by Dave Rosgen, which utilizes the impact of stream power on sediment transport to predict if alterations to a channel will likely result in aggradation or degradation. Other enhancements include a module to monitor bank erosion as well as enhancements to the gage analysis and regional curves modules. In this presentation, an overview of the RIVERmorph software program will be provided and recent enhancements to the software will be highlighted. Key Words: stream restoration; natural channel design; sediment transport; software 1. INTRODUCTION Stream restoration as a science has evolved from ancient river training techniques used for irrigation, navigation and flood control projects into modern ecological restoration plans designed by teams of engineers, geomorphologists, biologists and skilled construction contractors. In the past decade the profession has witnessed a trend in stream restoration that started with bioengineered or natural bank stabilization practices that tended to address the effects of stream degradation, but is now focusing on cross sectional, planform and longitudinal geometry best suited to exist in the natural landscape. The later 235
approach tends to address the causes of stream degradation, channelization for example, and mitigates those causes by mimicking natural systems that are stable in similar environments. The art of restoration is in the way professionals condense reams of input data into construction drawings illustrating natural stream systems. Given a beginning point and ending point, a stream can form nearly infinitely many planform alignments; however, there are many times when only one or two alignments can work with all the site constraints. RIVERMorph was developed to provide users an easy way to store and analyze the data collected for stream assessments and designs. The program has the ability to process geomorphic data typically collected on stream restoration projects, including biological and channel stability assessments. For stream restoration design, the software has been developed to allow designers to analyze planform, profile and cross sectional parameters, with the ability to iterate design constraints quickly. The outcome is a natural appearing stream system with variability in its planform, longitudinal profile and cross-section dimensions. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF THE RIVERMorph SOFTWARE PACKAGE Research and development for the software began in 1999. At this time research was focused on resistance equations and shear stress calculations needed for bank stabilization design. Later, basic geomorphologic data collection and stream classification were added to the first application (alpha version), which was developed in 2000. The software went through further development, including the addition of natural channel design equations, GIS, regional curves and graphing capabilities, until beta 1 testing in 2001 by private consultants, universities and government agencies. After incorporating visions from the beta test and the latest available design algorithms, Version 1.0 was released in June 2002. Throughout the development of RIVERMorph, Dave Rosgen, Ph.D., of Wildland Hydrology provided significant input to the software. Since the initial release of Version 1 of RIVERMorph, the software has continued to be enhanced to keep up with the stream restoration profession. Version 2 of the software included the addition of Hydraulics by Stages, which allows for the computation of a number of hydraulic properties by user defined stage increments. The properties can also be easily graphed. In addition, a number of sediment transport equations were also added to Version 2 along with the addition of a sediment transport competency calculator. 3. RECENT ADVANCES TO THE RIVERMorph SOFTWARE PACKAGE Over the past year, a number of significant enhancements have been added to the software. Last year, a Pocket PC version of the software was introduced, which provides key RIVERMorph data input screens in a Pocket PC format which easily syncs with the desktop version of the software. Pocket RIVERMorph also allows the user to calculate several key bankfull parameters in the field, which allows the user to validate data while still at the site. The use of Pocket RIVERMorph can save the user significant time be allowing the user to visualize the collected data in the field, thus eliminating costly return trips to the site to check data that may be in error. The software now also includes the PowerSed sediment transport model developed by Dave Rosgen, Ph.D., which utilizes the impact of stream power on sediment transport to predict if alterations to a channel will likely result in aggradation or degradation. The PowerSed model utilizes dimensionless sediment rating curves to predict sediment volumes relative to discharges. Figure 1. View of RIVERMorph GUI. 1 Beta testing is the process of getting feedback from peers and potential users. 236
unknown site conditions require a field change to a portion of the alignment, such as when shallow bedrock is encountered. Changes to the stream geometry, such as narrowing the meander belt width, can easily be evaluated using the software s slider controls. RIVERMorph will adjust all the related channel dimensions and validate the sediment transport competency of the adjusted channel. Figure 2. View of the RIVERMorph PowerSed Module. Other enhancements to RIVERMorph include a module to monitor bank erosion as well as enhancements to the gage analysis and regional curves modules. The gage analysis module has been enhanced to allow instant downloading of annual peak, mean daily and 9-207 data from the USGS Web site. The data can then be easily processed to develop a flood frequency analysis and hydraulic geometry relationships. The regional curve module was enhanced to easily allow users to develop regional curves from their data as well as to facilitate the distribution of regional curves. Numerous RIVERMorph users are developing regional curves in their areas of practice and are providing their data to RIVERMorph. The RIVERMorph Web site is used to distribute these regional curves to other users, thus helping the profession to stay up to date with the latest regional curve information. 4. BENEFITS TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PROFESSION RIVERMorph benefits both the environment and erosion and sediment control profession in with respects to stream assessment, and design by incorporating useful techniques and algorithms from a variety of successful restoration professionals including Rosgen, Pfankuch, Soar and Thorne to name just a few. RIVERMorph simplifies the design and assessment process by putting the geomorphic tools needed right at the users fingertips. In addition to the stream assessment and design phases, RIVERMorph is also a powerful tool to use during the stream restoration construction process if It is also crucial to collect as-built geomorphic survey data immediately after construction to begin the monitoring process. Ideally, reconstructed streams would be monitored for the long term; however, monitoring budgets are sometimes limited or entirely absent. The RIVERMorph project file used to design the reach is an excellent place to store any monitoring data collected in the new reach, making it easy to generate reports and to evaluate changes over time. Unique features of the RIVERMorph stream restoration software include: RIVERMorph was developed specifically to analyze, store and retrieve geomorphic data through the use of a comprehensive database and state-of-the-art graphic user interface (GUI). Through the use of a computer software program, the processing of geomorphic data for stream assessment, monitoring and design can be completed much more quickly and thoroughly. RIVERMorph s robust database allows the user to query stored data during the design process, instantly load and retrieve river and reach data, utilize GIS to measure plan form geometry, and create new regional curves and statistical parameters, all in real time. RIVERMorph allows the stream restoration professional to make key geomorphic measurements graphically. RIVERMorph allows for quick design iterations. Once the impacted reach and reference reach data has been input to RIVERMorph, the natural channel design module can be used to quickly iterate on a design until the proposed geometry matches the reference reach classification and has the ability to transport its sediment as validated using dimensionless shear stress calculations. Typical details for the plan view alignment of the channel thalweg and longitudinal profile are automatically produced by the software. Crosssectional details are customized by the user to generate the shape of the proposed channel that best suits the channel materials and reference reach patterns. RIVERMorph also includes design calculations for W-Weirs, J-Hooks and Cross Vanes. The regime equations provided in RIVERMorph 237
are very useful for providing a check for the final design. Typically the equations are used to compare the design to the relationships of radius of curvature to width, meander wavelength to radius of curvature and others. The design geometry should be consistent with Regional Curves developed for the project area. If there are no existing Regional Curves for the site, RIVERMorph can be used to construct them if some stable reaches and preferably gage sites can be located in the watershed or surrounding area. RIVERMorph allows the user to build an easily retrievable reference reach library for use on future stream restoration projects. Geomorphology professionals can produce tables and graphs for insertion in reports and presentations. RIVERMorph generates tables of design geometry, as well as tables of coordinates for cross sections, plan view and longitudinal profile. These tables can be supplied to the CADD department for development into design drawings, or can be imported in GIS using event themes. 5. SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION OF RIVERMorph IN THE FIELD: BUFFALO RUN CASE STUDY Commercial developments in Kentucky are subject to major environmental constraints set up to protect our rivers and streams. Many of these developments require unique and environmentally challenging design solutions to complex stormwater plans. The developers of the Cedar Grove Business Park met with environmental concerns during the 401 permitting process. Initially, the project design specified several diversions of Buffalo Run, a relatively undisturbed tributary of the Salt River, as primary components of the site-grading plan. Naturally this triggered the concerns of local conservationists and state regulators regarding the post-developed condition of Buffalo Run, a wooded stream corridor with abundant biological habitat and diversity. The Kentucky Division of Water helped the developer implement a satisfactory preservation and restoration plan as part of the 401 permitting process, allowing for two diversions if constructed using natural materials and stable dimensions promoting similar wildlife habitat opportunities as existing and preserved reaches of Buffalo Run. In preparation for the design and construction of the natural channel diversions, field engineers used a time saving design-build method of natural channel design, collecting reference reach data one day, and Figure 3. Reference reach used for design. by using RIVERMorph stream restoration software to generate a stable design the following day. Sketches used to generate staking plans for the diversions were based on predicting efficient plan, profile, and cross sectional geometry from information gathered from a reference reach in the Buffalo Run watershed. The reference reach empirical design approach was used because it offers a high probability of creating a natural appearance while maintaining channel dimensions and sediment transport competency over time. The engineers, skipping the process of generating a traditional set of construction drawings or specifications, then field-staked the stable pattern and began excavating the new floodplains later that week. Natural construction materials, such as boulders, logs, rootwads and transplants were located and stockpiled during this time. The projects were designed and constructed in a few weeks, compared to the many months typically used on projects of similar size. Excavation of the new floodplains to their final elevations prior to excavation of the bankfull channel made construction and supervision easy. Once the channel pattern had been staked the contractor could make several passes with a standard 4-feet wide excavator bucket to construct the channel. Instead of measuring elevations along the channel bottom with survey equipment, the depth was inspected with rods graduated into riffle, run, glide and pool depths calculated from the reference reach dimensionless ratios. This way one supervisor could inspect the channel depths by measuring down from the bankfull elevation and instruct the operator to make adjustments as necessary. A critical part of a natural channel design process was the thorough review of the calculations. RIVERMorph stream restoration software was used to store and analyze geomorphic data for the Cedar 238
Figure 4. View of valley prior to construction. Figure 6. Completed Project 3 years after construction. Grove project. The software was used to classify the existing streams, assess channel stability conditions, analyze the reference reach data, perform the natural channel design, and verify the sediment transport competency in the proposed reaches. Figure 5 View of valley with completed natural channel. Two 1,000 ft reaches of Buffalo Run were relocated as part of this project. The newly construction floodplains are now used as wildlife refuge and are being incorporated into a park system for Bullitt County. In the end, the developer completed the permit requirements ahead of schedule and under budget using RIVERMorph stream restoration software as a critical element of this unique design-build approach. 239
Latest Enhancements to the RIVERMorph Stream Restoration Software Presented by: George Athanasakes, P.E. IECA 2006 Annual Conference and Expo Long Beach, California
Outline Brief History of Software Main Features & Components Pocket RIVERMorph Example Use of the Software Summary
Brief History Development Initiated in 1998 Extensive Beta Testing Released in 2002 Significant Input from Dave Rosgen Currently Used by Numerous Agencies and Consulting Firms Continue to Advance the Software
Database Structure River Reach River Scale Reach Scale (20 to 30) x W bkf
Graphical User Interface River Tree View Main Working Area Pop Up Tools
RIVERMorph Components CHANNEL MEASUREMENT Survey Data (Differential & Total Station) Cross Sections Longitudinal Profile Particle Size Analyses (Pebble Count & Sieve Analysis) Stream Classification Dimensionless Ratios
RIVERMorph Components CROSS SECTION Total Station or Differential Level Data Graphically Adjust Bankfull Ability to Export Data & Graphs for Insertion in Reports Numerous Tools to Efficiently Analyze Data Hydraulics by Stages Storage of Photographs
RIVERMorph Components ASSESSMENT TOOLS Pfankuch Channel Stability NRCS Stream Visual Assessment Protocol Bank Erosion Hazard Index
RIVERMorph Components DESIGN TOOLS Natural Channel Design Pattern Dimension Profile Vane Structures
Natural Channel Design ANALYSES & DESIGN Slider Controls for Design Iterations
Incorporates Design Calculations for Structures
RIVERMorph Components CALCULATORS & TOOLS Everything You Need at Your Fingertips Easy to Use Pop Up Forms Allow Continuous Work in Main Window Data Integration
RIVERMorph Components CALCULATORS & TOOLS GIS Regional Curves Resistance Equations Regime Equations TR-55 Peak Flow Andrews Equations Shields Curve Gage Analysis PowerSed/FlowSed
RIVERMorph GIS Ability to Set Scale Key Planform Measurements Sinuosity Radius of Curvature Meander Wavelength Belt Width Upload to Dimensionless Ratios
Regional Curves Graphs of Drainage Area Versus Discharge Area Width Depth Default Curves Creates New Curves with a Click of a Mouse Website Source for Latest Regional Curve Data
Gage Analysis Quickly Downloads Real- Time Gage Data from USGS Website Performs Flood Frequency Analysis Plots Data
Pocket RIVERMorph Quicker Analysis Includes Most Data Entry Screens in RIVERMorph Opportunity to Validate Your Data While in the Field Tools to Calculate Bankfull and View Graphically Easily Loaded on to Waterproof PDA Instantly Syncs with RIVERMorph
Natural Channel Design Using Reference Reach Approach Stable Reference Stream in Same Hydro-physiographical Region Streams Exist in Dynamic State of Equilibrium Requires a Number of Geomorphic Measurements - Range of Dimensionless Ratios Applies to Streams where Upper Ranges of Depositional Particles Begin to Mobilize at Bankfull In Sand Bed Streams Additional Analytical Analyses is Necessary
NCD Example Dimensionless Ratios
Summary Software Stores all Data in a Database for Easy Retrieval During the Assessment & Design Process. Features an Intuitive Graphical User Interface Streamlines the Processing of Geomorphic Data and Natural Channel Design Calculations Quickly Enter & Analyze Data in the Field Using Pocket RIVERMorph