Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Geography & Environmental Studies

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Houston Saunderson

Advisor Role

Thesis Supervisor

Abstract

Between July, 1989 and March, 1990, bed load samples were taken from ten bridge sites on the Nottawasaga River and three of its tributaries. The Helley-Smith Sampler was used to collect bed load samples, the DH-48 Suspended Sediment sampler was used to sample the suspended load, and velocity estimates were obtained with a Marsh-McBirney Model 512M electromagnetic current meter. Results show that the Pine River, which is a tributary of the Nottawasaga River, had higher bed load transport rates than the Nottawasaga River. The other tributaries, Willow Creek and Boyne River, transported less. During the summer and fall, bed load transport on the rivers increased in response to precipitation events. After a flood in March of 1990, estimated velocities were capable of transporting most of the available bed material as a ‘traction carpet’ and flushed most of the coarser sediment through the system into Minesing Swamp. On average, the Nottawasaga River transported 17% of its sediment load as bed load whereas the Pine River transported 40% as bed load. Mean velocity appeared to be the best parameter to predict bed load on the Nottawasaga River. No parameter best explained the bed load transport of the Pine River because of the opposite behaviours of the two sampling sites. This indicated that caution should be used when using one sampling site on a river to predict its total behaviour.

Convocation Year

1990

Convocation Season

Spring

Download

Share

COinS