Author

Erin Hoeft

Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Geology

Abstract

Understanding the process of erosion is important and necessary to guide not only land management today, but serve as a basis for future practices. The seasonal rate of sediment transport was monitored in a small drainage basin near the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota. Soil traps, erosion pins, painted pebble lines, and aluminum markers were placed throughout the valley to monitor seasonal sediment transport. Once the observation period ended, the amount of sediment leaving the drainage basin was calculated to be 81.4 m3. It is not certain that all of this sediment traveled directly to the Little Missouri River but we can say the sediment left the drainage basin. Monitoring erosion is important for manmade structures such as the Lake Sakakawea reservoir. Water exiting the badlands complex watersheds contains sediment that has been eroded from the valley walls. The Little Missouri River carries this sediment to Lake Sakakawea, where it is deposited. Knowing the amount of sediment escaping the badlands and entering the lake will provide a better estimate of the life span for the reservoir.

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