In the late 1960's Pete Klingeman led a group in the design and construction of sediment sampling facilities on Oak Creek. Their site was located near the downstream boundary of the McDonald-Dunn forest (see map) (watershed area ~7.0 km2 (2.7 mi2)). The facilities were designed to measure sediment yields from forested, mountain watersheds. Studies focused mainly on bedload transport but also included some studies of suspended load (see publications below by Beschta).

The major feature of the sampling facilities was a vortex bedload sampler. It included a flume, rectangular weir, off-channel sampling pit, and a bypass flume. By opening flow gates, the flume created a vortex and extracted bed load from the stream so that transport rates could be measured. For a complete description, refer to Klingeman, 1979.

The sediment transport studies were some of the first to make detailed measurements of bedload in a gravel bed stream. The creek size, sampling design, and study duration also made the studies unique. For example, the small channel dimensions (~4 m wide with flows up to 6 m3/s) and the vortex sampling design allowed bedload to be measured across the whole streamwidth rather than with spot sampling. Researchers were also some of the first to carefully measure bedload throughout the rising and falling limbs of storm hydrographs and to look at the size fractions of bedload.

Other researchers have since used the Oak Creek datasets in their analyses of sediment transport processes such as incipient motion (when does transport of bedload first begin?) and calculations of the dimensionless Shield's parameter (a parameter used in sediment transport equations). For example, Gary Parker (Parker and Klingeman, 1982; Parker et al, 1982; Andrews et al, 1987) combined the Oak Creek data and merged it with bedload data from larger streams to develop generalized theories for equal mobility.

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Datasets and Class Projects

Pete Klingeman has many of the original data records from sediment transport studies at Oak Creek. Few of these are digital. Summaries and analyses of these data can be found in the many of the theses, reports and publications listed below.

Matin, H.,1994, Incipient motion and particle transport in gravel-bed streams, Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Civil Engineering. Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University: 268 p.

Available: OSU Valley Library, LD4330 1995D .M38

Abstract: The incipient motion of sediment particles in gravel-bed rivers is a very important process. It represents the difference between bed stability and bed mobility. A field study was conducted in Oak Creek, Oregon to investigate incipient motion of individual particles in gravel-bed streams. Investigation was also made of the incipient motion of individual gravel particles in the armor layer, using painted gravel placed on the bed of the stream and recovered after successive high flows. The effect of gravel particle shape was examined for a wide range of flow conditions to determine its significance on incipient motion. The result of analysis indicates a wide variation in particle shapes present. Incipient motion and general transport were found to be generally independent of particle shape regardless of particle sizes. A sample of bed material may contain a mixture of shapes such as well-rounded, oval, flat, disc-like, pencil-shaped, angular, and block-like. These are not likely to move in identical manners during transport nor to start motion at the same flow condition. This leads to questions about the role of shape in predicting incipient motion and equal mobility in gravel-bed streams. The study suggests that gravel particles initiate motion in a manner that is independent of particle shape. One explanation may be that for a natural bed surface many particles rest in orientations that give them the best protection against disturbance, probably a result of their coming to rest gradually during a period of decreasing flows, rather than being randomly dumped. But even when tracer particles were placed randomly in the bed surface there was no evident selectively for initiation of motion on the basis of particle shape. It can be concluded from analysis based on the methods of Parker et al. and Komar that there is room for both equal mobility and flow-competence evaluations. However, the equal mobility concept is best applied for conditions near incipient motion and the flow-competence concept is best applied for larger flows and general bedload transport. Furthermore, with an armored bed, such as that at Oak Creek, there is a tendency for a more-nearly equal mobility (or equivalent) for the normalized transport rates for the various size fractions when incipient motion and moderate bedload transport occurs.

McArdell, B. W. (1997). Field experiments on the controls of downstream fining in gravel-bed rivers, Doctoral Dissertation, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD: 137 p.

Abstract: The influence of two primary controls of downstream fining in gravel-bed rivers, the durability of the gravel particles and the streambed aggradation rate, is investigated in field experiments where the rate of downstream fining is compared among rivers with a large variation in one control and only small variation in the other controls. In the durability field experiment, the rate of downstream fining is compared between two streams in the Oregon Coast Range that differ significantly only in the durability of the gravel. The durability of Flynn Creek gravel, measured in the ERC abrasion mill, is an order of magnitude weaker than the Oak Creek gravel. The rate of downstream fining is nearly two orders of magnitude more rapid in Flynn Creek than in Oak Creek, clearly demonstrating the influence of particle durability. In the aggradation field experiment, the rate of downstream fining is compared among three similar streams in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, where the influence of aggradation rate is large compared with the estimated influence of particle durability and other controls. When the duration of aggradation is assumed to be identical among the streams, Peyto Creek, which is aggrading 5.6 times more rapidly than the North Saskatchewan River, fines at a rate 3.7 to 5.1 times more rapid. Both the rate of fining and the aggradation rate are intermediate for the Sunwapta River. Comparison of the aggradation rate-downstream fining rate trend with data from South Coldwater Creek, WA, corroborates the results, but only for the largest sizes present in the gravel. The combined influence of aggradation rate and particle durability is investigated by comparing the field results with predictions of downstream fining made with the ACRONYM4 computer model, which incorporates both wear and sorting processes. When the aggradation rate is expressed in terms of an extraction ratio, the results may be generalized to allow for prediction of downstream fining within one order of magnitude. The difference between the forecast and observed downstream fining illustrates the potential importance of other controls, such as excess bed shear stress and grain size sorting.

Milhous, R. T. (1973). Sediment transport in a gravel-bottomed stream. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Civil Engineering. Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University: 232 p.

Available: OSU Valley Library, LD4330 1973D .M54

Moret, S. L. (1997). See listing on Watershed Analysis page.

Paustian, S. J. (1977). The suspended sediment regimes of two small streams in Oregon's Coast Range. MS Thesis, Department of Forest Engineering. Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University: 122 p.

Available: OSU Valley Library, LD4330 1978 .P37

Shih, S.-m. (1989). Hydraulic control of grain size distributions and differential transport rates of bedload gravels Oak Creek, Oregon. MS Thesis, Department of Oceanography. Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University: 74 p.

Available: OSU Valley Library LD4330 1990 .S55

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Andrews, E. D., Parker, G., Thorne, C. R., Bathurst, J. C., and Hey, R. D., 1987, Formation of a coarse surface layer as the response to gravel mobility, in Thorne, C. R., Bathurst, J. C., and Hey, R. D., eds., Sediment transport in gravel-bed rivers, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, United Kingdom, p. 269-325.

Bakke, D., Basdekas, P. O., Dawdy, D. R., and Klingeman, P. C., 1999, Calibrated Parker-Klingeman model for gravel transport: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, v. 125, no. 6, p. 657-660.

Abstract: The Parker-Klingeman (P-K) model is a state-of-the-art approach to prediction of gravel transport in river channels. This technical note describes the P-K model in simple terms and presents a practical method for local calibration of model constants by procedures that minimize variance and bias. Using site calibration rather than modeling constants from the literature extends the range of applicability of the P-K model in terms of stream slopes and substrate sizes. Model prediction capability becomes less contingent on having stream characteristics that match the streams used in model development.

Beschta, R. L., 1980, Turbidity and suspended sediment relationships, in Watershed Management Symposium, Boise, ID, p. 271-282.

Notes: cited in Beschta 1981 as having sed transport data from Oak Creek

Beschta, R. L., 1980, Modifying automated pumping samplers for use in small mountain streams: Water Resources Bulletin, v. 16, no. 1, p. 137-138.

Notes:cited in Beschta 1981

Beschta, R. L., 1981, Patterns of sediment and organic matter transport in Oregon Coast Range streams, in Erosion and Sediment Transport in Pacific Rim Steeplands, Christchurch, New Zealand, p. 654 pages.

Beschta, R. L., 1983, Sediment and organic matter transport in mountain streams of the Pacific Northwest, in D.B. Simons Symposium on Erosion and Sedimentation, Ft. Collins, Colorado, p. 1-69 to 1-89.

Beschta, R. L., O'Leary, S. J., Edwards, R. E., and Knoop, K. D., 1981, Sediment and organic matter transport in Oregon Coast Range streams: Oregon Water Resources Research Institute, 70.

Abstract:Bedload transport, particulate organic matter transport, total suspended solids concentration, and turbidity were monitored during storm runoff at Flynn Creek and Oak Creek in central Oregon's Coast Range. Flynn Creek drains a 2.2. km2 watershed and Oak Creek drains a 7.5 km2 watershed; the dominant vegetative cover in both watersheds is Douglas-fir. Winter precipitation amounts were relatively low during the 1976-1980 water years investigated during this study. Frequency analyses indicated that peak flows had recurrence intervals of less than two years. Rating curves were developed between particulate transport (Y) and streamflow (!Q) using the equation form: Y - a Q^b. Exponential increases of 3.5 to 4.5 in bedload transport rates with increasing flows were measured using both votex tube and Helley-Smith bedload samplers. The median particle diameter (d50) of bedload sediments averaged less than 0.5 mm and less than 2 mm for Flynn Creek and Oak Creek respectively. Coarse particulate organic matter (>0.2 mm) represented an important bug variable component of the total material in transport along the streambed. Channel cross-section measurements indicated localized scour and fill was common during periods of storm-generated runoff. Rating curves of total suspended solids with streamflow were highly variable but exponential increases in total suspended solids concentrations with increasing flow were generally 1.1 to 1.6 when a wide range of flows were sampled. Total suspended solids concentrations were influenced by (1) streamflow, (2) hydrograph characteristics, and (3) the sequence of storm events. Total suspended solids averaged approximately 60% inorganic sediments and 40% organics. Total suspended solids concentration was found to be highly correlated with turbidity. Turbidities (and total suspended solids concentrations) returned to relatively low levels within 24 hours after peak flows had occurred.

Glasmann, J. R., 2000. See listing on Hydrology and Water Quality page.

Heineke, T., 1976, Bedload transport in a gravel bottomed stream: Oregon State University.

Notes:not in OSU library database, this citation is from Beschta 1981

Helland-Hansen, E., Klingeman, P. C., and Milhous, R. T., 1974, Sediment Transport at Low Shields-Paramter Values: Journal of the Hydraulics Division, v. 100, no. HY1, p. 261-265.

Notes:Klingeman says this paper was based on an MS project by Helland-Hansen, since it was not a thesis it is not archived in the OSU library.

Klingeman, P. C., 1970, Evaluation of bed load and total sediment yield processes on small mountain streams: Oregon State University, Final Sub-Project Report.

Notes: P. Klingeman thought that this summarized suspended load and bedload work.

Klingeman, P. C., 1971, Oak Creek vortex bed-load sampler, Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, p. 434.

Klingeman, P. C., 1973, Engineering Hydrology: Oregon Water Resources Research Institute. Final Project Report to Office of Water Resources Research, US Department of the Interior.

Klingeman, P. C., 1979, Sediment Transport Research Facilities, Oak Creek, Oregon: Oak Creek Sediment Transport Report F1, Oregon Water Resources Research Institute. 24 p.

Available: Klingeman_1979.pdf

Klingeman, P. C., 1987, Discussion of Chapter 3 River Bed Gravels: Sampling and Analysis, in Hey, R. D., Bathurst, J. C., and Thorne, C. R., eds., Sediment Transport in Gravel-Bed Rivers, John Wiley & Sons, p. 81-83.

Klingeman, P. C., 1987, Discussion of Chapter 4: Bed Load Sampling and Analysis, in Thorne, C. R., Bathurst, J. C., and Hey, R. D., eds., Sediment Transport in Gravel-Bed Rivers, John Wiley & Sons, p. 116.

Klingeman, P. C., 1987, Discussion of Chapter 19, Bed Load Transport Measurements by Vortex-Tube Trap in Virginia Creek, Italy, in Thorne, C. R., Bathurst, J. C., and Hey, R. D., eds., Sediment Transport in Gravel-Bed Rivers, John Wiley & Sons, p. 606-607.

Notes: P. Klingeman says that the Italian sampler was based on Oak Creek -- they visited to see the sampler here before designing theirs.

Klingeman, P. C., and Emmett, W. W., 1982, Gravel bedload transport processes, in Hey, R. D., Bathurst, J. C., and Thorne, C. R., eds., Gravel-bed Rivers, John Wiley & Sons Ltd., p. 141-179.

Notes: Short description of Oak Creek bedload vortex sampler and comparison of sediment data from Oak Creek to other measured streams in the Pacific Northwest. Emphasis is on the variability of bedload transport and the difficulties of predicting transport rates from stream discharge.

Klingeman, P. C., Krygier, and Brown, 1971, Studies on effects of watershed practices on streams: Schools of Forestry and Engineering, Oregon State University, US EPA Research Series 13010 EGA 02/71.

Klingeman, P. C., and Milhous, R. T., 1970, Oak Creek vortex bedload sampler, in 17th Annual Pacific Northwest Regional Meeting, American Geophysical Union, Tacoma, WA.

Klingeman, P. C., Milhous, R. T., and Heinecke, T. L., 1979, Oak Creek vortex bedload sampler, Oak Creek Sediment Transport Report F2: Oregon Water Resources Research Institute.

Komar, P. D., 1989, Flow-competence evaluations and the non-equal mobility of gravels in Oak Creek, Oregon, in Third scientific assembly of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, Baltimore, MD United States, p. 320.

Komar, P. D., 1989, Flow-competence evaluations and the non-equal mobility of gravels in Oak Creek, Oregon: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Washington, DC, United States, No: 4130.

Komar, P. D., and Carling, P. A., 1991, Grain sorting in gravel-bed streams and the choice of particle sizes for flow-competence evaluations: Sedimentology. Oxford, v. 38, no. 3, p. 489-502.

Abstract: Flow-competence assessments of floods have been based on the largest particle sizes transported, and yield either the mean flow stress, mean velocity, or discharge per unit flow width. The use of extreme particle sizes has potential problems in that they may have been transported by debris flows rather than by the flood, it may be difficult to locate the largest particles within the flood deposits, and there are questions concerning how representative one or a few large particles might be of the transported sediments and therefore of the flood hydraulics. Such problems would be eliminated for the most part if competence evaluations are based on median grain sizes of transported sediments, or perhaps on some coarse percentile that is established by a reasonable number of grains. In order to examine such issues, the gravel-transport data of Milhous from Oak Creek, Oregon, and of Carling from Great Eggleshope Beck, England, have been analysed in terms of changing grain-size percentiles with varying flow stresses.

Komar, P. D., Shih, S.-M., Billi, P., Hey, R. D., Thorne, C. R., and Tacconi, P., 1992, Equal mobility versus changing bedload grain size in gravel-bed streams, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, p. 73-106.

Komar, P. D., Shih, S.-M., and Carling, P. A., 1992, Sorting patterns and grain-size distributions of gravels in streams: 13th international sedimentological congress; abstracts International Sedimentological Congress, v. 13, p. 280.

Matin, H., and Klingeman, P. C., 1993, Incipient Motion in gravel-bed rivers, in Hydraulic Engineering '93, ASCE Hydraulics Division National Conference, San Francisco, CA, p. 707-712.

Milhous, R. T., Klingeman, P.C., 1973, Sediment transport system in a gravel-bottomed stream, in Hydraulic Engineering and the Environment, 21st Annual Hydraulics Division Specialty Conference, Bozeman, MT, p. 293-303.

Notes:Cited in Beschta et al, 1981 as having Oak Creek bedload transport data. Also cited in Klingeman and Emmett 1982.

Milhous, R. T., Hey, R. D., Bathurst, J. C., and Thorne, C. R., 1982, Effect of sediment transport and flow regulation on the ecology of gravel-bed rivers, in 13th international sedimentological congress: International workshop on engineering problems in the management of gravel-bed rivers, p. 819-842.

Milhous, R. T., and Klingeman, P. C., 1971, Bed-Load Transport in Mountain Streams, in ASCE Hydraulics Division Specialty Conference, Iowa City, Iowa.

Mohammadi, A., and Klingeman, P. C., 1990, Flushing of fine sediment from a coarse-bed stream, in Third International Iranian Congress of Civil Engineering, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran, p. 41-42.

Owusu, Y. A., and Klingeman, P. C., 1984, Flow and scour patterns around gabion structures, in ASCE Hydaulics Division Specialty Conference, Coeur d'Alene, ID, p. 281-285.

Parker, G., and Klingeman, P. C., 1982, On Why Gravel Bed Streams are Paved: Water Resources Research, v. 18, no. 5, p. 1409-1423.

Parker, G., Klingeman, P. C., and McLean, D. G., 1982, Bedload and size distribution in paved gravel-bed streams: Journal of the Hydraulics Division, v. 108, no. HY4, p. 544-571.

Paustian, S. J., and Beschta, R. L., 1979, The suspended sediment regime of an Oregon Coast Range stream: Water Resources Bulletin, v. 15, no. 1, p. 144-154.

Notes:cited in Beschta 1981

Rosenfield, C. L., and Pearson, M. L., 1994, Field estimation of resistance coefficients for gravel-bedded stream channels, in Streams above the line; channel morphology and flood control; U. S. Army Corps of Engineers workshop on Steep streams, Seattle, WA United States, p. 18.1.

Shih, S. M., and Komar, P. D., 1990, Hydraulic controls of grain-size distributions of bedload gravels in Oak Creek, Oregon, USA: Sedimentology, v. 37, no. 2, p. 367-376.

Abstract:Grain-size distributions of gravels transported as bedload in Oak Creek, Oregon, show systematic variations with changing flow discharges. At low discharges the gravel distributions are nearly symmetrical and Gaussian. As discharges increase, the distributions become more skewed and follow the ideal Rosin distribution. The patterns of variations are established by goodness-of-fit comparisons between the measured and theoretical distributions, and by Q-mode factor analysis. Two end members are obtained in the factor analysis, having (respectively) almost perfect Gaussian and Rosin distributions, and the percentages of the two end members within individual samples vary systematically with discharge.

Shih, S.-M., and Komar, P. D., 1990, Differential bedload transport rates in a gravel-bed stream: A grain-size distribution approach: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, v. 15, no. 6, p. 539-552.

Abstract: The grain-size distributions of bedload gravels in Oak Creek, Oregon, follow the ideal Rosin distribution at flow stages which exceed that necessary to initiate breakup of the pavement in the bed material. The distributions systematically vary with flow discharge and bed stress, such that at higher flow stages the grain sizes are coarser while the spread of the distribution decreases. A differential bedload transport function for individual grain-size fractions is formulated utilizing the dependence of the two parameters in the Rosin distribution on the flow stress. Successful reproduction of the measured fractional transport rate and bedload grain-size distributions in Oak Creek by this approach demonstrates its potential for evaluations of transport rates of size fractions in gravel-bed streams.

Shively, D., 1989, Landsliding processes occurring on a McDonald-Dunn Forest hillslope: Oregon State University, Department of Geosciences.

Wilcock, P. R., 1997, The components of fractional transport rate: Water Resources Research, v. 33, no. 1, p. 247-258.

Wolcott, J., 1988, Nonfluvial control of bimodal grain-size distributions in river-bed gravels: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 58, no. 6, p. 979-984.

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