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Hydrologic and geomorphic considerations in restoration of river-floodplain connectivity in a highly altered river system, Lower Missouri River, USA

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Abstract

Planning for restoration of river-floodplain systems requires understanding how often and how much of a floodplain may be inundated, and how likely the floodplain is to retain the water once flooded. These factors depend fundamentally on hydrology and geomorphology of the channel and floodplain. We discuss application of an index of river-floodplain connectivity, the Land Capability Potential Index (LCPI), to regional-scale restoration planning along 600 km of the Lower Missouri River. The LCPI integrates modeled water-surface elevations, floodplain topography, and soils to index relative wetness of floodplain patches. Geomorphic adjustment of the Lower Missouri River to impoundment and channel engineering has altered the natural relations among hydrology, geomorphology, and floodplain soils, and has resulted in a regional upstream to downstream gradient in connectivity potential. As a result, flow-regime management is limited in its capacity to restore floodplain ecosystems. The LCPI provides a tool for identifying and mapping floodplain restoration potential, accounting for the geomorphic adjustment. Using simple criteria, we illustrate the utility of LCPI-like approaches in regional planning for restoration of plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides) communities, hydrologically connected floodplain wetlands, and seasonal floodplain wetlands.

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Notes

  1. River miles are the customary units of distance along the Missouri River and are used here to facilitate communication with resource managers and stakeholders.

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Acknowledgment

Data used in this manuscript were compiled using a funding partnership that includes the U.S. Geological Survey Ecosystems Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Missouri River Recovery Program, and The Nature Conservancy Missouri River Program.

Funding for analysis and writing was provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and The Nature Conservancy.

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  1. Columbia Environmental Research Center, US Geological Survey, Columbia, MO, USA

    Robert B. Jacobson

  2. Missouri River Program, The Nature Conservancy, Omaha, NE, USA

    Tyler P. Janke & Jason J. Skold

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  1. Robert B. Jacobson
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Correspondence to Robert B. Jacobson.

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Jacobson, R.B., Janke, T.P. & Skold, J.J. Hydrologic and geomorphic considerations in restoration of river-floodplain connectivity in a highly altered river system, Lower Missouri River, USA. Wetlands Ecol Manage 19, 295–316 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-011-9217-3

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