| Urbanization often results in a loss of watershed storage and an increase in flooding, whereupon channel straightening, deepening, and lining occur to minimize the impacts associated with flooding. This research reports on an urban stream restoration attempt using hydraulic, geomorphologic, and empirical methodology, called a Reference Reach Design Approach (RRDA), which is typically applied to rural streams. A reach of urban stream in Onondaga Creek, Syracuse, New York was selected to analyze the feasibility of the RRDA within an urban stream.; This methodology was applied to produce a natural channel design being that of a C3 stream type with an entrenchment ratio of 2.7, a width to depth ratio of 16, and a sinuosity of 1.25. The design was constrained by infrastructure, fish habitat, floodplain reattachment, channel migration, bank erosion, and access and safety. The design produced a stable reach, which is beneficial both ecologically and environmentally. |
