Design of Habitat Structures for Open Channels

Abstract

In many cases, channel modifications have extremely adverse impacts on aquatic communities. Rudimentary design guidelines are presented for simple structures (sills, current deflectors, and individual boulders) used to accelerate biological recovery of modified stream channels. These structures increase the physical habitat diversity of a modified channel. Data from nine case studies are presented in tabular form, including stream channel characteristics, structure dimensions, and an analysis of biological effectiveness and structural durability. Available literature on habitat structures focuses on applications to unenlarged coldwater streams with coarse bed material. Documented experience with enlarged warmwater streams that have poorly armored channels is extremely limited.