Presentation Title
Quantifying and Predicting Gully Erosion and its Contribution to Nutrient Pollution from Vermont's Roads
Abstract
Fresh water is a precious resource for human life and environmental health. Human activity contributes a wide variety of contaminants to freshwater systems. Road networks interrupt these freshwater systems causing serious local erosion. Soil eroded off roads can add nutrients to the water, and contribute to declining water quality downstream. This project investigates the magnitude of the issue of gully erosion on Vermont's roads. High-resolution 3D scans of selected gullies are compared with municipal gully inventories and aerial Digital Elevation Models to find the general accuracy of statewide datasets. These data are synthesized to predict the total magnitude of gully erosion on the watershed level, and estimate the percentage of Phosphorus runoff that comes from this form of erosion. This research will inform further investigation of the Phosphorus runoff reduction potential of repairs made to road gullies.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Beverley Wemple
Secondary Mentor Name
Donald Ross
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Dr. Beverley Wemple (Thesis Advisor), Emma Estabrook (Graduate Student Mentor)
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
Honors College
Second Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Environmental Sciences
Primary Research Category
Engineering & Physical Sciences
Secondary Research Category
Food & Environment Studies
Quantifying and Predicting Gully Erosion and its Contribution to Nutrient Pollution from Vermont's Roads
Fresh water is a precious resource for human life and environmental health. Human activity contributes a wide variety of contaminants to freshwater systems. Road networks interrupt these freshwater systems causing serious local erosion. Soil eroded off roads can add nutrients to the water, and contribute to declining water quality downstream. This project investigates the magnitude of the issue of gully erosion on Vermont's roads. High-resolution 3D scans of selected gullies are compared with municipal gully inventories and aerial Digital Elevation Models to find the general accuracy of statewide datasets. These data are synthesized to predict the total magnitude of gully erosion on the watershed level, and estimate the percentage of Phosphorus runoff that comes from this form of erosion. This research will inform further investigation of the Phosphorus runoff reduction potential of repairs made to road gullies.