| One hundred eighty five reaches in eight sites with a total river length of fourteen kilometers were examined for signs of bank erosion and treefall in the Upper Paint Rock River, primarily in the Estill Fork Branch. In order to determine the factors most closely associated with risk of bank erosion and treefall in this modified, high gradient stream, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to generate a model that determines risk based upon bank structure, river morphology, and distribution of riparian vegetation. This model, which may serve as a practical means for prioritizing bank restoration sites, suggests that bank erosion, as the major factor in riparian treefall, results in and is attributable to unstable bank conditions such as high banks, narrow or lacking riparian vegetation cover, and increasing river meander sharpness. |
