The Hydrology/Geomorphology Research Group at OSU

Approaches and projects

of

The Hydrology/Geomorphology Research Group

This research utilizes an integrated approach based on: 1) retrospective studies based on long-term streamflow, sediment, and climate datasets provided by the Long Term Ecological Research Program, the U.S. Geological Survey, and other sources of information; 2) computer-based simulation and modelling of hydrologic and geomorphic processes over a range of watershed scales; 3) detailed field and laboratory studies of specific channel processes; and 4) remote sensing of watersheds, using aerial and satellite imagery linked to GIS databases. Results of this research are concepts, tools, methods, and analytical and operational models for understanding watershed behavior and conducting watershed analyses. The products of this research are directly applicable to designing effective restoration and monitoring strategies for watersheds and developing the next generation of tools for watershed management.

Specific projects include:

  1. Retrospective analyses of long-term streamflow records in small (< 1 km2) and large (50 to 500 km2) examining the effects of progressive road construction and clearcut logging in the western Cascades of Oregon.

    P.I.s: J. Jones, G. Grant

    Recent publications:

    1. Jones, J.A. and Grant, G.E. Long-term stormflow responses to clearcutting and roads in small and large basins, western Cascades, Oregon. Submitted to Water Resources Research.

  2. Field studies and hydrologic modeling of effects of roads on streamflow and drainage network extension.

    P.I.s: B. Wemple, J. Jones, G. Grant.

    Recent publications:

    1. Wemple, B., Jones, J.A., and Grant, G.E. Hydrologic integration of forest roads with stream networks in two forested basins in the western Cascades of Oregon. Submitted to Water Resources Bulletin.

  3. Examine long-term effects of forest management on peak and low flows, landslide initiation, debris flows, and sediment transport, using a coupled hydrologic-geomorphic model CLAWS.

    P.I.s: J. Duan, G. Grant.

    Recent publications:

    1. Duan, Jinfan., Sikka, Alok K., and Grant, G.E. A comparison of stochastic models for generating daily precipitation at the H J Andrews Experimental Forest. In press, Northwest Science.
    2. Duan, J. and Grant, G.E. Comment on "A distributed Hydrology-Vegetation Model for Complex Terrain WRR 30, 1665-1679,1994." In press, Water Resources Research.

  4. Investigate entrainment, transport, and geomorphic consequences of large woody debris in streams, using analytical, experimental and field approaches.

    P.I.s: C. Braudrick, G. Grant.

    Recent publications:

    1. Braudrick, Christian., Grant, G.E., Ishikawa, Y. and Ikeda, H., Dynamics of woody debris transport in alluvial channels: a flume experiment. Submitted to Earth Surface Processes and Landforms.

  5. A general hypothesis for channel adjustments in high-gradient streams.

    P.I.: G. Grant

    Recent publications:

    1. Grant, G.E. Adjustment of high-gradient streams to critical flow:a new hypothesis. Submitted to Water Resources Research.

  6. Processes and controls on channel and valley floor morphology in mountain landscapes and responses to land use activities.

    P.I.s: G. Grant, F. Swanson.

    Recent publications:

    1. Grant, G. E. and Swanson, F.J. 1995. Morphology and processes of valley floors in mountain streams, western Cascades, Oregon. In: Costa, J.E., Miller, A.J., Potter, K.W., and Wilcock, P.R (eds.), Natural and Antropogenic Influences in Fluvial Geomorphology: the Wolman Volume, Geophysical Monograph No. 89, American Geophysical Union, Washington, D.C., p. 83-101
    2. Russell, Periann and Grant, G.E.. Sediment production and delivery in Pistol River, Oregon and its effects on pool morphology. In preparation for submittal to Geomorphology

  7. New approaches, concepts, and methods for watershed analysis.

    P.I.s: D. Montgomery, F. Swanson, G. Grant.

    Recent publications:

    1. Montgomery, D.R., Grant, G.E., and Sullivan, K. 1995. Watershed analysis as a framework for implementing ecosystem management. Water Resources Bulletin v. 31, no. 3, p. 369-386.
    2. Grant, G.E. and Swanson, F.J., 1995, Watershed analysis on the public lands: where are we now and where should we be going? In: Watersheds '94: Respect, rethink, restore; Proceedings of the Fourth Watershed Management Council Workshop, Ashland, OR, Nov 16-18, 1994, edited by R.R. Harris, R. Kattelmann, H. Kerner, and J. Woled, Univ. of California, Water Resources Center Report No. 8 6, Press., p. 49-53.

  8. Patterns and dynamics of channel response to large-scale watershed fluvial disturbances.

    P.I.s: M. Madej, G. Grant

  9. Where do floods come from?: effects of drainage network size, structure and hydrologic processes on peakflow generation in the H.J Andrews Experimental Forest, western Cascades, Oregon.

    P.Is: R. Perkins, J. Jones, G. Grant.

  10. Influence of a large dam complex on sediment transport, particle size distributions, and channel morphology, Deschutes River, Oregon.

    P.I.s: H. Fassnacht, E. McClure, G. Grant.

  11. Analysis of particle size distributions at a watershed scale, H.J. Andrews Forest, western Cascades, Oregon.

    P.I.s: B. Lambert, J. Jones, G. Grant

  12. Intersite comparison of hydrological processes and vegetation interaction across LTER sites

    P.I.s: J. Jones, F. Swanson and G. Grant