Integrating Multi-date, High-resolution Topography and Flood Frequency Data to Quantify River Erosion Hazards in Vermont
Annunziata, Alena
Annunziata, Alena
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Abstract
The impacts of recent severe flash flooding remain evident across many rural communities in Vermont, underscoring the need for improved planning tools to mitigate future hazards. To better understand which river reaches are more susceptible to adjustment, we are conducting a detailed analysis of topographic data derived from multi-date LiDAR datasets quantify spatial patterns of erosion and deposition spanning the major flood events of 2023 and 2024. At 33 stream segments across north-central Vermont, the river corridor was systematically categorized into four morphological zones - channel, streambank, proximal floodplain, and distal floodplain - to enable consistent comparison across sites. Reach-scale net deposition / erosion was quantified in each of these zones for time periods spanning a major flood event. These geomorphic observations were complemented by statistical analyses of high-flow conditions, using stream gage data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Specifically, we evaluated hydrologic records between LiDAR datasets by looking at the 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles of daily discharges, and contextualized annual peak flows based on a flood frequency analysis. By integrating geomorphic change detection with hydrologic trend analysis, this study aims to assess the relationship between magnitude of flow and observed erosion and deposition patterns. Together, these datasets provide a more robust framework for identifying river reaches most vulnerable to adjustment during flood events, ultimately supporting more informed and resilient planning strategies for Vermont communities.
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Date
01/01/2026
Student Status
Junior (Graduating in 2027)
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Poster
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Civil Engineering
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College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
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Engineering