Four measures related to channel condition Sinuosity (pool formation) Pool/Riffle Development Channel Modification Channel Stability
Sinuosity Ratio of Length to Down-valley Distance No Sinuosity Low Sinuosity Bend Poorly Defined Moderate Sinuosity High Sinuosity Function: Creates depth and habitat heterogeneity, more habitat per unit distance
ExcellentGoodFairPoor Pool > 1 m deep, well defined m deep, well defined Some depth variation Shallow if present Glide Not Dominant CommonPredominant Riffle Deep, well defined riffles with large substrates Defined riffles, large substrates Poorly defined riffles or riffles absent Absent or shallow with fine substrate Run > 0.5 m deep, well defined Deep, well defined Usually absentAbsent
Channel Beginning to Migrate and Deposit Sediment on Inside Bends Fair-Poor Riffle Pool Development
No Channelization
Recovering
Channel Condition Affects the Abundance and Size of Small- mouth Bass in Ohio Streams & Rivers Smallmouth bass are one of the most popular and wide- spread game fish in Ohio and are a sentinel top carnivore for WWH and EWH streams and rivers. Adverse effects of channel modification to smallmouth bass include loss of cover, loss of pools, degradation of substrates, and food web alterations.
Mature Riparian Deep Pools Stable, vegetated non-eroding banks Large diameter, unembedded substrates Well defined pools and riffles
Signs of Instability: ◦ Unvegetated Point Bars ◦ Shallow, Fine Diameter, Diagonal Riffle Features ◦ High Bedload ◦ Bank Erosion