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<br />occurring over the long term because on an average basis the amount of sediment <br />transport through the reach was equal to the amount of the sediment supplied to <br />it. Based on the comparison of a survey of the area in 1922 and aerial photos in <br />1970, Elliott et al. (1984) determined that no significant changes in river planform <br />or channel morphology had occurred beyond those typical of rivers transporting <br />large sediment loads which results in bend migration and bar formation. In <br />addition, it was observed by Elliott et al. (1984) that the river had not developed <br />strath terraces which would suggest progressive down cutting, nor were there any <br />overbank deposits that would indicate aggradation. <br /> <br />The Deerlodge Park reach is very active and monitoring channel morphology <br />response to variations in the Little Snake River sediment load would greatly <br />enhance the understanding of relationships between sediment transport and <br />discharge for the two rivers. Over 12 m of lateral channel migration occurred at <br />Deerlodge campground during the 1983 and 1984 high flows and new floodplain <br />development occurred on the north side of the river across from the campground. <br />Sometime between 1976 and 1982, the Little Snake river confluence moved <br />approximately 0.8 km downstream. In 1983, during a fairly high flow year, 21 <br />Yampa Canyon cross sections monitored in the spring and fall, indicated a net <br />storage of sand in the canyon (O'Brien 1984). <br /> <br />To summarize, the Little Snake River contributes a large sediment supply to <br />the Yampa River which eventually is delivered to the Green River. Storage of <br />sediment can occur in Deerlodge Park and the dynamics of sediment transport <br />through this reach determines the sediment load to Yampa Canyon. There is <br />limited opportunity for sand storage in Yampa Canyon, but sand deposition on the <br />lower cobble reach can affect habitat used by endangered and native fishes <br />(O'Brien 1984). <br /> <br />27 <br />