Sediment deposition in a flood-retention structure after two record floods in southwestern Wisconsin

P. A. Kammerer; W. G. Batten

ABSTRACT:

Sediment deposited in a flood-control structure was measured after record floods in southwestern Wisconsin on June 17 and June 30-July 1, 1978. The structure is in the Driftless Area, where high relief, erodible soils, and land use contribute to high soil losses. The two floods deposited 4.1 acre-feet of sediment in the structure. This translates into a sediment yield of 3,200 tons per square mile from the 2.3-square-mile drainage basin. Comparison of this yield to the average annual sediment yield of 13 tons per square mile between 1968 and 1974 illustrates the importance of isolated hydrologic events in determining sediment yields in the Driftless Area.

Footnotes

P. A. Kommerer, Jr., and W. G. Batten are hydrologists with the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1815 University Avenue. Madison. Wisconsin 53706.
Copyright 1982 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society

This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.