Abstract
Effective design of gully control systems must consider the gully network as a whole and be based on geomorphologie indicators such as type of network, stream order, and stage of development. Consideration of geomorphologic characteristics allows a ranking of gully treatment priorities that, in turn, promises the highest return for expenditures. Relationships between sediment catch, channel gradient, treatment cost, and height of check dams in a treatment system are presented. Return is considered within a physical rather than economic framework. Future soil savings are the main focus.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Dortignac, E. Y. and L. D. Love. 1961. Infiltration studies on ponderosa pine ranges of Colorado. USDA For. Serv., Rocky Mt. For. and Range Exp. Stn., Fort Collins, Colo. Stn. Pap. 59, 34 pp.
Heede, Burchard H. 1960. A study of early gully-control structures in the Colorado Front Range. USDA For. Serv., Rocky Mt. For. and Range Exp. Stn., Fort Collins, Colo. Stn. Pap. 55, 42 pp.
Heede, Burchard H. 1965. Multipurpose prefabricated concrete check dam. USDA For. Serv., Rocky Mt. For. and Range Exp. Stn., Fort Collins, Colo. Res. Pap. RM-12, 16 pp.
Heede, Burchard H. 1966. Design, construction and cost of rock check dams. USDA For. Serv., Rocky Mt. For. and Range Exp. Stn., Fort Collins, Colo. Res. Pap. RM-20, 24 pp.
Heede, Burchard H. 1967. The fusion of discontinuous gullies-a case study. Bull. Int. Assoc. Sci. Hydrol. 12:42–50.
Heede, Burchard H. 1968. Conversion of gullies to vegetation-lined waterways on mountain slopes. USDA For. Serv., Rocky Mt. For. and Range Exp. Stn., Fort Collins, Colo. Res. Pap. RM-40, 11 pp.
Heede, Burchard H. 1974. Stages of development of gullies in western United States of America. Z. Geomorphol. 18(3):260–271.
Heede, Burchard H. 1976. Gully development and control: The status of our knowledge. USDA For. Serv., Rocky Mt. For. and Range Exp. Stn., Fort Collins, Colo. Res. Pap. RM-169, 42 pp.
Heede, Burchard H. 1977. Case study of a watershed rehabilitation project: Alkali Creek, Colorado. USDA For. Serv., Rocky Mt. For. and Range Exp. Stn., Fort Collins, Colo. Res. Pap. RM-189, 18 pp.
Heede, Burchard H., and John G. Mufich. 1973. Functional relationships and a computer program for structural gully control. J. Environ. Manage. 1:321–344.
Heede, Burchard H., and John G. Mufich. 1974. Field and computer procedures for gully control by check dams. J. Environ. Manage. 2:1–49.
Horton, Robert E. 1945. Erosional development of streams and their drainage basins. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 56:175–370.
Meiman, James R. 1975. Infiltration studies in the Piceance Basin, Colorado. Thorne Ecol. Inst., Boulder, Colo. Tech. Pub. 12, 42 pp.
Patton, Peter C., and Stanley A. Schumm. 1975. Gully erosion, northwestern Colorado: a threshold phenomenon. Geology, Feb. 75, p. 88–90.
Strahler, A. N. 1957. Quantitative analysis of watershed geomorphology. Am. Geophys. Union Trans. 38:913–920.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Heede, B.H. Designing gully control systems for eroding watersheds. Environmental Management 2, 509–522 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01866709
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01866709