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Citation Pelpola, CP and Hickin, EJ. 2004. Long-term bed load transport rate based on aerial-photo and ground penetrating radar surveys of fan-delta growth, Coast Mountains, British Columbia. Geomorphology 57:169-181.
Organization SFU
URL http://www.sfu.ca/~hickin/PDF%20Library/Pelpola&Hickin2004.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords Sequential aerial photography, sonar bathymetry, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and sediment sampling and analysis
provide the basis for calculating the volumetric and mass rate of progradation of the delta of Fitzsimmons Creek, a steep, highenergy,
debris-flow-dominated channel draining about 100 km2 of the southern Coast Mountains of British Columbia.
Fitzsimmons Creek is typical of small mountain rivers in the region. GPR imaging is used to define the pre-depositional
morphology of the receiving basin, a technique that improves the accuracy of the volumetric survey. The 52-year record (1947 –
1999) of progradation yielded an average annual volumetric transport rate of 1.00 F 0.16 104 m3 year 1 for bed load,
corresponding to a mass transport rate of 1.60 F 0.28 104 Mg year 1
. Bed load yields are consistent with those obtained in
hydrogeomorphically similar basins in the region and elsewhere. Decade-based annual rates, which vary from 0.64 F 0.11 104
to 2.85 F 0.38 104 Mg year 1
, provide poor estimates of the 52-year average. Indeed, the 52-year record may also not be
long enough to fully integrate the significant fluctuations in the sediment efflux from Fitzsimmons Creek. The methodology
proposed in this paper can be transferred to other comparable mountain environments worldwide.
D 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Delta progradation; Bed load transport; Sediment yield; Ground-penetrating radar
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Information Type article
Regional Watershed Howe Sound & Sunshine Coast
Sub-watershed if known Squamish River
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