Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program

Long Term Resource Monitoring

Backwater sedimentation rates in Pools 4, 8, and 13

Net sedimentation rates are estimated annually along established transects by direct survey of the river bottom. Transects across backwater areas were randomly selected in Pools 4, 8, and 13 of the Upper Mississippi River.

Temporary vertical and horizontal benchmarks were set to obtain relative water surface elevations and align the transect. Surveys are conducted over the ice by taping distances and measuring depths with a sounding pole. In open water conditions, elevations are measured using a level.

Background project information page
Recent rates of sedimentation rates in backwaters of the Upper Mississippi River

Graphical depiction of change along transects between 1997 and 2000 can be viewed: Pool 4 Pool 8 Pool 13

Analysis and reporting of change over a 5-yr period is scheduled in 2002.