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Hungry Canyons Alliance

Contact
John Thomas
712 S. Hwy. 6 & 59
Oakland, IA 51560
john@goldenhillsrcd.org
(712) 482-3029

On the Web: http://www.goldenhillsrcd.org/projects/hca/

Activity: Prevention of streambed degradation

Geographic location: Degrading streams in the deep loess region of western Iowa including the counties of Plymouth, Woodbury, Monona, Crawford, Carroll, Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, Guthrie, Pottawattamie, Cass, Adair, Mills, Montgomery, Adams, Fremont, Page, Taylor

Brief activity description: The Hungry Canyons Alliance was formed to research and implement solutions to the problem of stream channel erosion and degradation in a 22 county area of the deep loess soils region of western Iowa. Stream channel erosion has caused more than $1.1 billion in damages to public and private infrastructure and farmland in the deep loess soil region of western Iowa. An affordable solution to this problem is to build engineering structures in streams, which reduce stream energy. Local, county, state, and federal resources protect threatened bridges, utilities, and farmland through the construction of streambed stabilization structures. The Hungry Canyons Alliance makes these resources available to the 22 counties through a cost share program. Since 1992, the program has provided the technical assistance and funds needed to complete 300 grade stabilization structures in 17 counties in western Iowa. These structures will protect an estimated $73.8 million in property value and protection of approximately 20 million tons of soil from erosion. On average, every dollar spent on Hungry Canyons Alliance streambed stabilization structures protects more than $4.30 in property value and 1.1 tons of soil from being washed away.

Primary goals or focus:

  • Sediment reduction
  • Water quality improvement
  • Development/implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Projected outcomes/impacts, if known: Stabilize all the downcutting streams and tributaries in western Iowa

Activity type:

  • Research
  • Policy
  • Education
  • Demonstration
  • Implementation
  • Technical assistance

Scale of activity:

  • Watershed
  • County
  • Sub-basin
  • Basin
  • Regional

Lead organization(s)/organizer(s): Hungry Canyons Alliance

Other partners and participants: County governments, USDA-NRCS, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Projected or real startup time: Organization began in 1992
Projected ending time or goal deadline: Program will continue until approximately 2017

Funding sources:

  • Federal government
  • State government
  • Local goverment

Publications

Using Aerial Videography and GIS for Stream Channel Stabilization
An aerial assessment and classification of streams in the deep loess region of western Iowa has determined areas of active stream erosion and the impact streambed stabilization structures have had on controlling stream degradation. The stream assessment consisted of flying along streams in a small helicopter while videotaping the stream channel and recording positions with a global positioning system receiver. Streams were classified based on a six-stage channel evolution model to describe the dominant channel processes occurring along stream reaches. Streams across the region in 1993 and 1994, and in a smaller area in 2000, were similarly classified. The comparison of the recent classification to those of the past allows us to describe how stream stabilization structures have impacted the streams and make predictions as to where future stream erosion will occur. The data may also be used to mathematically model channel evolution in the region. Approximately 5,250 miles (8,450 km) of stream in 21 western Iowa counties will be classified during the 2002-2003 project. Videos and maps will be made available to county engineers and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service district offices for stream stabilization project planning.

Field Investigation of Hydraulic Structures Facilitating Fish Abundance & Passage in Western Iowa Streams
Streambed stabilization structures have been proven to be effective in protecting bridges and farmland from stream erosion in the deep loess soils region of western Iowa. However, steep downstream backslopes also prevent fish migration. Weir design criteria are identified that provides for fish migration, while controlling streambed degradation with a low-cost, low-maintenance structure.

Design Manual - Streambed Degradation and Streambank Widening in Western Iowa
The purpose of this design manual is to evaluate various potential measures to address streambed degradation and streambank widening along the primary rivers and their tributaries in western Iowa.