Streambank and bed degradation
Related links:
Increased water nutrient concentrations
Increased water faecal contamination
Increased water chemical contamination
Impact
The term streambank refers to the edges of a stream channel to the top of the high water mark and streambed refers to the bottom of the stream channel. Both the streambank and bed are susceptible to degradation through natural and human induced causes. Human induced degradation is usually associated with altered flows and land disturbances and includes but is not limited to riparian vegetation clearing, livestock trampling, dredging, channel straightening and infrastructure development (e.g. construction of roads, bridges, dams and/or weirs).
Suggested indicators: Gully erosion*, In-steam habitat*
Streambank and bed degradation may be associated with:
| Potential associated impacts | Suggested indicators |
|
Increased water sediment load and contamination |
|
| Increased over-land flooding and soil waterlogging leading to development of swamp/marsh areas |
|
| Loss of streambank and bed habitat |
|
| Groundwater incurrsion |
|
| Channel widening and bed lowering |
|
* Yet to be developed
| Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Last updated 27 August 2008.
© The State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources and Water) 2008.
Other languages