Research and Development Office

Utilizing Acoustic Sensors to Detect Streambed Mobilization

Project ID: 20070
Principal Investigator: Rebecca Braz
Research Topic: Sediment Management and River Restoration
Funded Fiscal Years: 2020
Keywords: None

Research Question

This proposal seeks to assess the viability of utilizing acoustic sensors to detect when streambed mobilization begins. The test location for this technique will be the Wild and Scenic stretch of the Rio Chama, a tributary of the Rio Grande in northwestern New Mexico. This stretch of the Chama is located below El Vado Dam and is a high-sediment system with a significant amount of mud. This mud restricts oxygen transport in the streambed, impacting the food source and habitat of the brown trout, a key species in the designation of the Wild and Scenic Reach.

Need and Benefit

This proposal seeks to assess the viability of utilizing acoustic sensors to detect when streambed mobilization begins in the Wild and Scenic stretch of the Rio Chama. This stretch of the Chama is located below El Vado Dam and is a high sediment system with a significant amount of mud that restricts oxygen transport in the streambed, impacting the food source and habitat of the brown trout, a key species in the designation of the Wild and Scenic Reach. Reclamation periodically releases high flow pulses from El Vado for environmental enhancement purposes, including clearing mud from the streambed. Acoustic sensors could be used to detect when streambed mobilization occurs; the moment of mobilization could then be correlated to a flow rate lending to better management of the high flow pulses. The scoping work would include a literature review of existing sensor technologies and current applications, a flume study at the University of New Mexico's hydraulics lab to become familiar with operation of acoustic sensors, and the development of a plan and a conducting proposal for an in-river study to field test the acoustic sensors.

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.

Scoping the Utilization of Acoustic Sensors to Detect Streambed Mobilization (final, PDF, 2.0MB)
By Rebecca Braz
Report completed on September 30, 2020

---

Return to Research Projects