Quantifying the Impact of Model Selection When Examining Bank Retreat and Sediment Transport in Stream Restoration

The objective of this study was to assess the performance form-based and process-based models, local-scale reach-scale used examine bank retreat sediment transport in stream restoration. evaluated models were Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI), Assessment for Nonpoint Source Consequences Sediment (BANCS), Stability Toe Model (BSTEM), HEC River Analysis System (HEC-RAS 1D). Model-to-model assessments conducted quantify impact model selection when predicting applied stress geomorphic change a restored North Carolina, USA. Results indicated that mobility bed dictated at reach-scale. HEC-RAS 1D needed accurately analyze sand-bed stream, amounts comparable measured data up three orders magnitude higher than those from models. At local-scale, results mechanism flow variability constrained selection. BEHI BANCS did not directly account geotechnical failure nor capture severe floods, underpredicting by an order compared BSTEM, failing characterize erosion potential stresses after short-term morphodynamic adjustments.