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5 <br />is steeper than in the reach where the softer Weber Sandstone is the <br />controlling formation. Here the river often directly attacks the <br />bedrock, which it erodes easily. The rate of downcut.ting in the Weber <br />decreases as the channel elevation approaches the Green River base level <br />(Figure 2). <br />Site Description <br />River Mile 16.5 <br />Three study sites were selected in the cobble bed reach of the Yampa <br />River. River mile 16.5 and 18.5 were chosen for hydraulic investigation <br />of the cobble substrate. Hydraulic and sediment transport data were <br />collected at the Mathers Hole site located between the other study <br />sites. A description of the sites follows. <br />The cobble bar at river mile 16.5 is a large cobble and sand <br />longitudinal bar (approx. 900 ft. long and 300 ft. wide). It splits the <br />main channel into two smaller channels (or three at high flows-see <br />Figure 3). The Weber Sandstone is exposed through the entire cobble bar <br />reach, attaining a maximum thickness of about 700 feet on the left bank. <br />Talus and soil is found at wall bases and supports grasses, junipers, <br />and box elders. The Weber is poorly consolidated and thus easily <br />eroded, forming steep, smooth, curving walls. On the left bank is a <br />vegetated flood terrace which extends to the midpoint of the cobble <br />island, where it meets Weber talus and some sand. <br />Appearing below cross-section 4 (Figure 3), on the right bank, is a <br />limestone bed in the. Morgan Formation (lower Pennsylvanian). It dips <br />upstream at about 6°, rises through the remainder of the section, and is <br />about 10 feet thick. The outcrop does not become prominent until about <br />80 feet above cross-section 2. This outcrop is far more erosion- <br />resistant than the Weber Sandstone, and extends into the channel rather <br />than being sharply cut off. Here it accumulates muds and supports <br />algae. On the left bank only a small portion of the limestone is seen, <br />just above cross-section 1, but it quickly disappears under talus. <br />The bed material is essentially cobbles from cross-section 1 to 5, <br />with exception of the large pool in the left channel near cross-section <br />2 which consists of sand and boulders and a large portion of the right <br />channel which is small boulders from the talus slope. Cross-sections 6 <br />through 8 constitute a pool reach with a large percent of the substrate <br />being sand. The pool is at cross-section 7 is deep with large submerged <br />boulders. The riffle extends from cross-section 5 to cross-section 1 <br />and includes both channels. <br />River Mile 18.5 <br />At river mile 18.5 is another cobble, riffle reach which is similar <br />to that at mile 16.5. A longitudinal bar of cobbles and sand splits the <br />main channel into two subordinate channels (Figure 4). The Weber <br />Sandstone is exposed through this reach with no trace of the Morgan <br />Formation. As with the site at mile 16.5, an overhanging ledge is found <br />at mile 18.5. It rises from the water about 50 feet below the uppermost <br />point of the bar, and continues to rise throughout the remainder of the