Hitch, Jonathan, ÒUrbanization and Its Effect on Flood Frequency and Intensity Comparing to the July 17-18, 2001 Flood in the Polk Run Watershed in Southwest Ohio,Ó Oxford, OH: Miami University, Dec. 14, 2001.This is a study for a geology class, courtesy of Kim Medley, which details the effects of the July 2001 flood (the focal point of our project). We will use this project as a reference point in conducting our own research into the long-term effects of the flood."Map of Oxford (1895)," in McBride's Map of 1836 Combined with the Atlases of 1875 and 1895, Smith Library. This detailed map provides the names of property owners as well as limited geographical information from the nineteenth century.
"Map of Oxford Township (1875)," in McBride's Map of 1836 Combined with the Atlases of 1875 and 1895, Smith Library. This detailed map provides the names of property owners as well as limited geographical information from the nineteenth century.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, "Field Guide: Critical Flood Information," (pdf file) Columbus, OH: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 2001. This fact sheet talks about what one can expect to happen during and after a flood. It will help us know what to look for when assessing flood damage to our watershed. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, "Flood and Flood Damage Prevention Fact Sheet," (pdf file) Columbus, OH: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 2001. This fact sheet talks about what one can expect to happen during and after a flood. It will help us know what to look for when assessing flood damage to our watershed.
Wright, Charles, "The Ballad of Elliot Harker and Ellen Vane," The Oxford Press Bicentennial Series, Oxford, OH: The Oxford Press, published weekly between July 1975 and July 1976. This will support the cultural study of the run, in that it provides a view of the floklore surrounding Harker's Run's namesake.
Vedder, Kim, ÒChannel Changes in Indian Creek between 1938 and 1992, Butler County, OhioÓ (thesis), Oxford, OH: Miami University, 1992. This graduate thesis examines changes in the course of Indian Creek. We hope to use this data for comparison purposes.
Yanosky, Thomas M., ÒEffects of Flooding Upon Woody Vegetation along Parts of the Potomac River Flood PlainÓ (Geological Survey Professional Paper 1206), Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1982. This professional paper on how flooding affects woody vegetation along flood plains will help us to assess the damage to the vegetation around Harker's Run watershed after the 2001 flood.
www.catchment.crc.org.au/programs/the_programs/land.htm This article details "Land Use Impacts on Rivers." The information herein will add to our project's sections on anthropological disturbance. CNIE.org/NLE/CRSreports/Biodiversity/biodv-6.cfmThis report, ÒEcosystems, Biomes, and Watersheds: Definitions and UseÓ by M. Lynne Corn, is a good reference for terminology and classifications of different areas.
Danenet.wicip.org/gisedu/watersheds/This is an extensive list of various watershed terms. We plan to use this as a vocabulary and definition reference.
www.epa.gov/owowThis website, maintained by the EPAÕs Office of Wetlands and Watersheds, is a useful source for guidelines on watershed integrity and health. It also provides helpful tips on ways of measuring the quality of watersheds.
www.usgs.gov/The U.S. Geological Survey website provides a variety of documents and publications pertinent to our topic.
www.wildlandhydrology.com/html/iii.htmThis website provides excellent data collection methods and assessment techniques for dealing with watershed health. This will be an excellent resource for determining our research design and testing ideas.
Interdisciplinary Approach
As stated above, the goal of our study is to develop a complete and interdisciplinary understanding of the Harker's Run watershed. We will use a scientific approach as a jumping off point. However, a purely scientific examination is insufficient for the comprehensive understanding we seek. Therefore, we will integrate social, cultural, and historical perspectives with the scientific to create a more complete picture of the area and its context.
In the cultural examination of Harker's Run, we will use newspaper articles, stories, and other literary pieces which deal specifically with Harker's Run. These will contribute to our understanding of the cultural context of the stream. What does the watershed mean to people now, and how does that compare with its past meaning? Poetry, maps, and personal surveys are examples of research materials supporting the cultural perspective.
Closely related to the cultural aspect is the social aspect of Harker's Run. This section will delve into the policies, land use, and other social factors that have affected the area. This will certainly involve a detailed look at the history of Harker's Run. Other sources include public records, zoning codes, and individuals with a knowledge of policies relating to the watershed.
Research Design
In order to study the physical hydrogeology of Harker's Run, we will use two permanent sections that will be 100 meters each in length. In each section, there will be one testing station.
First, we will find the area of our watershed by using topographical maps of the area. Using rainfall data from July 17-18, 2001 from weather gauges at Boyd Hall (south of Harker's Run) and also from the Ecology Research Center (north of Harker's Run), we will be able to estimate how much rain fell on the Harker's Run watershed during the flood. We will also estimate the height of the water during the flood by looking for a line of debris in the trees in the surrounding riparian areas.
In order to do a comparative study between the physical findings of the July 17-18, 2001 flash flood and the current regular physical stream data, tests will be taken once a week. We will measure the regular velocity of the water, the sediment load, and discharge. Sediment load and discharge are extremely important in our study because it directly relates to the flash flood and the way the land changed during this time.
Sediment load is of specific concern because we would like to find out if more sediment is moved during a flood or during normal conditions. The area of the watershed and stream velocity will be vital as well. Through testing stream velocity with the Òcurrent tester machine,Ó we will also document the velocity changes and differences in the riffle, pool, and bank areas of the sections. Five to ten currency measurements will be taken per station per testing day.
In order to test the stream velocity each time, we will use the current meter at different points along the width of the creek and also at different depths (surface, middle, and bottom if possible). To test discharge, we will multiply how much water runs through a given area of our test sections by the area of the cross-section. Sediment load is tested by filling a liter bottle with water from the area and pouring the contents through a coffee filter. After the water has run through the filter, and the filter has dried, it will be weighed and the original weight of the filter alone will be subtracted. This will be done for each testing session in various locations in each 100-meter testing section.
We will make sure to do each of these tests during both dry and wet (low and high) periods in order to obtain more accurate results. We will also make sure to take multiple tests at a time in order to increase accuracy. We will also create a damage index of the visible damage resulting from the summerÕs flash flood. In both testing sections, we will compile data quantifying the debris pile-ups, their size, their location, as well as how often the pile-ups occur.
To compliment the scientific focus of the study, we will also be doing research in the social/historical, and cultural aspects of Harker's Run and the Bachelor Reserve. We will compile research of land and land-use history, as well as observing current use of Harker's Run and its section of the Reserve. We will obtain historical information from the Lane Library Smith Collection in Oxford, Ohio, and find information on the Joseph M. Bachelor Reserve at the Miami University Archives. We will produce a survey and ask those who use the area (whether for recreation, education, or other purposes) for their reasons and comments on the use, current state, and personal meaning of the creek. A copy of the survey is included.
Further social research will be done through interviewing individuals at the Miami University Physical Facilities on the procedures taken for the development and upkeep of the watershed, including concerns about the two bridges that span the creek, one of which has fallen due to the July flash flood. Lastly, we will look at the watershed through a cultural perspective, using photography and historical literature (The Ballad of Elliot Harker) to further integrate the projectÕs goals.
Materials and Methods
Coffee
Filters
Current
meter
One-liter
plastic bottle
Measuring
tape
CameraThe coffee filters, current meter, liter bottle, and measuring tape will be used specifically to find the watershed area, test for stream velocity, discharge, and sediment load. Our results will be analyzed and the resulting statistics from each testing station will be compared. Stream velocity will also be tested randomly in section areas such as riffles, pools, and banks.
Working as a group, we will meet at least once a week at the watershed for observation, testing, and reflection. We will also meet at least once a week in order to analyze our weekly results and discuss the progress of the project, as well as posting progress reports each week on the blackboard website. Additionally, extra trips after rainfall and will be necessary. Each group member will be responsible for equal contributions to the project, although we will work together to combine our efforts. Captain Planet, heÕs our hero, gonna bring pollution down to zero. We plan on collaborating with our fellow Harker's Runners when visiting the watershed, as well as sharing resources, literature, and even observations.
Once we have obtained results from our tests, we plan on using the Statview program to analyze and compare the data. An excel data sheet is included for our testing purposes.
Time-Line
Week of February 24
Obtain history research at Lane Library,
Miami University Archives, and Brill
Science Library
Create Research Proposal
Week of March 3
Measure area of watershed
Green Beer Day at Harker's Run
