Date of Award
2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Natural Resources
First Advisor
Beverley Coghill-Wemple
Abstract
Floodplains play a major role in maintaining the health and sustainability of riverine systems, but human interventions have reduced the connectivity between stream channels and floodplains. Geomorphic assessments of streams and rivers in Vermont (USA) show they have been significantly altered within the past two centuries due to straightening, berming, and armoring channels to accommodate development, agriculture, roads, and rail lines. These alterations in river-floodplain connectivity have decreased floodplain functioning, specifically their capacity to store water during flood events. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the amount of floodwater, sediment, and nutrient retention provided by Vermont’s floodplains. This research seeks to address this gap using newly derived floodplain maps of the Vermont portion of the Lake Champlain Basin to estimate floodwater storage under varying recurrence interval floods and to assess constraints on this storage. Additionally, floodplain inundation maps were used along with geomorphic and geographic proximity analysis to develop a floodplain-reconnection prioritization system to leverage opportunities for restoration along inactive rail lines. I tested the methodology in portions of the Lamoille and Missisquoi River basins and provide estimates of enhanced floodwater storage associated with restoration opportunities.
Language
en
Number of Pages
76 p.
Recommended Citation
Drago, Stephanie, "Estimating Floodplain Storage And Prioritizing Floodplain Reconnection In The Northern Lake Champlain Basin In Vermont" (2021). Graduate College Dissertations and Theses. 1362.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/1362