Integrating high resolution remote sensing of multi-scale hydrogeomorphology into long-term river management – Year two

Large northward-flowing boreal rivers are an important hydroelectric resource, but effects of river regulation on downstream geomorphology and aquatic ecosystems are difficult to predict. Peace River, BC presents an ideal case study of river response to regulation, with continuous monitoring since dam construction in 1967. However, current understanding of system changes is based mainly on periodic ground-based measurements that may be less sensitive to characterize complexity at the scales at which the river responds. This project aims to incorporate recently developed fluvial remote sensing methods into the ongoing research and monitoring of Peace River through investigation of three specific questions (1) how does geomorphic change affect in-stream hydraulics and aquatic habitat? (2) how can unmanned aerial vehicle-based remote sensing and photogrammetry be used to characterize the stability and function of constructed habitat compensation features under changing flow conditions? TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Brett Eaton

Student:

Aaron Tamminga

Partner:

BC Hydro

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Program: