Sources of Suspended-Sediment Flux in Streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: A Regional Application of the SPARROW Model†

  1. John W. Brakebill1,
  2. Scott W. Ator2,
  3. Gregory E. Schwarz3

Article first published online: 11 JUN 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00450.x

Issue

JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association

JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association

Volume 46, Issue 4, pages 757–776, August 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Brakebill, J. W., Ator, S. W. and Schwarz, G. E. (2010), Sources of Suspended-Sediment Flux in Streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: A Regional Application of the SPARROW Model. JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 46: 757–776. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00450.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Respectively, Geographer, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 5522 Research Park Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21228

  2. 2

    Hydrologist, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Baltimore, Maryland

  3. 3

    Economist, National Water Quality Assessment Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia

*(E-Mail/Brakebill: jwbrakeb@usgs.gov)

  1. †

    Paper No. JAWRA-09-0026-P of the Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA). Discussions are open until six months from print publication.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 26 JUL 2010
  2. Article first published online: 11 JUN 2010
  3. Received February 6, 2009; accepted March 25, 2010.

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Keywords:

  • rivers/streams;
  • estuaries;
  • geospatial analysis;
  • sediment transport;
  • transport and fate;
  • Chesapeake Bay;
  • model;
  • SPARROW

Brakebill, John W., Scott W. Ator, and Gregory E. Schwarz, 2010. Sources of Suspended-Sediment Flux in Streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: A Regional Application of the SPARROW Model. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(4): 757-776. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00450.x

Abstract:  We describe the sources and transport of fluvial suspended sediment in nontidal streams of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and vicinity. We applied SPAtially Referenced Regressions on Watershed attributes, which spatially correlates estimated mean annual flux of suspended sediment in nontidal streams with sources of suspended sediment and transport factors. According to our model, urban development generates on average the greatest amount of suspended sediment per unit area (3,928 Mg/km2/year), although agriculture is much more widespread and is the greatest overall source of suspended sediment (57 Mg/km2/year). Factors affecting sediment transport from uplands to streams include mean basin slope, reservoirs, physiography, and soil permeability. On average, 59% of upland suspended sediment generated is temporarily stored along large rivers draining the Coastal Plain or in reservoirs throughout the watershed. Applying erosion and sediment controls from agriculture and urban development in areas of the northern Piedmont close to the upper Bay, where the combined effects of watershed characteristics on sediment transport have the greatest influence may be most helpful in mitigating sedimentation in the bay and its tributaries. Stream restoration efforts addressing floodplain and bank stabilization and incision may be more effective in smaller, headwater streams outside of the Coastal Plain.

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