Assessing Streambed Stability Using D50-Based Stream Power Across Contiguous U.S.

Streambed aggradation and degradation are ways in which a stream will respond to changes the incoming flow sediment loads. Several environmental societal problems attributed these channel bed adjustments. Prior studies have extensively used power discern dominant processes establish threshold limits required trigger modifications. However, were constrained by limited datasets scope of applications. The current study large dataset streambed median grain size (D50) across contiguous U.S. conjunction with screening tool assess stability for erosion deposition potential. Analysis at Physiographic Province level indicated major geomorphic highly likely occur Blue Ridge Pacific Border provinces. Deposition-dominated streams prominent Central Lowland, Great Plains, Coastal Plain, whereas Colorado Plateaus Wyoming Basin highest percentage stable channels. Smoothed spatial maps prevalence high Northeast Northwest regions Comparison predictions using map actual field calculated results yielded 55% prediction accuracy. Further analysis based on order revealed association higher lower orders.