A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the potential of stiff (sedge and corn) and flexible stemmed (bluegrass, native sod) vegetation to trap and retain sediment on a meandering stream with characteristics common in the Intermountain region at the Hydraulics Laboratory at Colorado State University. Three treatments (no vegetation, rigid vegetation, flexible vegetation) were applied, with four stubble heights (rigid - 3.0, 8.0, 10.0, and 14.0, flexible -0.5, 3.0, 8.0, and 14.0). These live vegetation mats were inserted into the stream channel and the ability of plants to capture and retain sediment (fine sand) were tested at discharge rates of 3.0, 5.0, and 6.8 cfs. Sediment capture and retention rates were primarily tested under a single water cycle event.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.