Basin-scale availability of salmonid spawning gravel as influenced by channel type and hydraulic roughness in mountain catchments

Abstract

A general framework is presented for examining the effects of channel type and associated hydraulic roughness on salmonid spawning-gravel availability in mountain catchments. Digital elevation models are coupled with grain-size predictions to provide basin-scale assessments of the potential extent and spatial pattern of spawning gravels. To demonstrate both the model and the significance of hydraulic roughness, we present a scenario for optimizing the spatial extent of spawning gravels as a function of channel type in Pacific Northwest catchments. Predictions indicate that hydraulic roughness could control more than 65% of the potential available spawning habitat at our study sites. Results further indicate that bar roughness can be important for maintaining spawning gravels in lower mainstem reaches, while wood roughness may be required for spawning-gravel maintenance in steeper, upper mainstem channels. Our analysis indicates that wood loss and consequent textural coarsening could deplete up to one third of the potentially usable spawning area at our study sites.