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EVALUATING SEDIMENT PRODUCTION FROM NATIVE AND FLUVIAL GEOMORPHICRECLAMATION WATERSHEDS AT LA PLATA MINE
Bugosha, N. and E. Epp. | Catena 174:383-398(2019)

The San Juan Coal Company reclaimed 743 hectares at its La Plata Mine using the GeoFluv™ fluvial geomorphic reclamation design method to achieve long-term stability against erosion, reduce maintenance, and increase biodiversity. In the fall of 2011, research quantified the sediment production rate from geomorphic landforms and surrounding undisturbed native lands. Temporary check-dam-type sediment control structures designed to impound runoff from a 2-yr, 1-h storm were installed at three similar subwatershed outlets. Precipitation at the end of the 2012, 2013, and the beginning of the 2014 water years provided direct relationships between sediment production and precipitation. The sediment yield from the undisturbed native site was 9.53 t/ha/yr, while the fluvial geomorphic design with topdressing and poorly established vegetation site averaged 13% lower than the native site, and the fluvial geomorphic design with topdressing and significant vegetation establishment averaging 41% lower sediment yield than the native site. This article is Open Access at https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/123057/Bugosh%20and%20Epp_2019_CATENA.pdf.



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