Rio Grande - Romero-Guadalupe Channel Rectification Project_Application

• Basin Roundtable: Rio Grande
• Applicant: Romero Irrigation Co.
• Description: Romero-Guadalupe Channel Rectification Project
• Account Source: Basin
• Board Meeting Date: 9/19/2007
• Contract/PO #: 08000000060
• WSRF - Doc Type: Grant Application

Water Supply Reserve Account – Grant Application Form
Form Revised May 200 7
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The Cross - Vane, W - Weir and J - Hook Vane Structures…Their
Description, Design and Application for Stream Stabilization and River Restoration
D. L. Rosgen, P.H.
*
* Professional Hydrologist, Wildland Hydrology, Inc. 14 81 Stevens Lake Road. Pagosa Springs,
Colorado 81147; PH 970 - 731 - 6100; [e-mail]

Abstract

The descriptions, design specifications, placement locations, spacing and various applicati ons of
Cross - Vane, W - Weir and J - Hook Vane structures are presented. These structures were
developed and subsequently applied to: 1) establish grade control, 2) reduce streambank erosion,
3) facilitate sediment transport, 4) provide for irrigation diversion structures, 5) enhance fish
habitat, 6) maintain width/depth ratio, 7) improve recreational boating, 8) maintain river stability,
9) dissipate excess energy, 10) withstand large floods, 11) maintain channel capacity, 12) be
compatible with natural channel design, and 13) be visually acceptable to the public.
Relations to determine the minimum size of rock for these structures are presented based on
bankfull shear stress. Drawings for each structure are provided that display appropriate use of
footers, cros s - section shape, profile shape, appropriate channel locations, angles, slopes, spacing
and elevations. Velocity isovels are presented to describe changes in the distribution of energy
produced by the structures. The structures all reduce near - bank shear st ress and stream power,
while increasing center channel shear stress and stream power to retain both flood - flow and
sediment transport capacity. These structures have been installed on 14 rivers with bankfull
widths varying from 9m (Lower Blanco River in So uthwestern Colorado) to 150m (Bitterroot
River in Northwestern Montana) and slopes varying from 0.05 to .0003 and in bed material
ranging from cobble and gravel to sand bed streams. Since 1986, the author has restored and
monitored a wide variety of stream types involving over 48 km of rivers and evaluated various
structure performance following major floods. This monitoring has resulted in the development,
implementation and assessment of the Cross - Vane, W - Weir and J - Hook vane structures.

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