FISP
Project ID: 1709
Principal Investigator: Robert Hilldale
Research Topic: Sediment Management and River Restoration
Funded Fiscal Years:
2017
Keywords: None
Research Question
There is a need to unify and standardize sediment measurement activities of Federal agencies involved in fluvial sediment studies. Without standardization data are not comparable across temporal and spatial scales and thus not useful. The FISP continues to maintain and improve the suite of physical samplers developed during its first 60+ years and also advances the state of the science for surrogate sediment measurement methods for future application. Surrogate methods stand to improve sediment data collection by providing a means for continuous collection and decreasing the long term cost of such data.
The FISP has developed and approved a suite of physical sediment and water quality samplers that are available to collect accurate sediment samples. In addition to development, quality assurance, sales, and support of physical samplers, the FISP conducts and sponsors research on emerging tools and technologies for measurement and analysis of sediment properties. Recent research is often focused on indirect methods of measuring sediment characteristics with improved resolution, accuracy, and cost. FISP instrumentation and research addresses suspended sediment, bed load sediment, bed material, bed topography, and water quality. Sponsoring agencies and the public benefit from the cooperative action that leads to comparable, meaningful sediment information obtained using common instruments, standards, and procedures.
The funds requested provide an operational budget for the FISP and are combined with funds from participating agencies. The primary expenditure of FISP funds is awarding the research proposals mentioned above.
Need and Benefit
As evident by the creation of the Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project (FISP) over half a century ago, this research is inherently governmental. Interagency collaboration during the development phase and consistent deployment of new research products among federal agencies is essential to maintain consistency, avoid duplication of efforts, and ensure compatibility of data. The lead responsibility
for this research rightly belongs to the USGS, contributing the majority of the project funding. Reclamation benefits from participating in this research effort by having an equal voice in the direction of the research activities and staying apprised of advancements in the field of sediment measurement and analysis. The major benefit to all agencies is the availability of calibrated sampling equipment and standardized analysis methods and techniques to obtain accurate data. In addition, surrogate measurement methods will improve the efficiency of these measurements and provide for continuous, safer, less laborious and less expensive data collection.
Reclamation's participation ensures that the research products meet our needs as well as those of the other participating agencies.
Contributing Partners
Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.
Research Products
Bureau of Reclamation Review
The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.
FISP (final, PDF, 238KB)
By Robert C. Hilldale
Research Product completed on September 30, 2017
FISP (final, PDF, 238KB)
By Robert C. Hilldale
Research Product completed on September 30, 2017
