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The above calculation shows that the effect of the backfilled <br />channel on the stream quality will be non-detectable. This calculation <br />was made assuming that flow through the backfilled channel would remain <br />confined to that channel unit it exits into the original channel below <br />the modified reach. Actually, there will be some mixing of the waters <br />in the backfilled channel with adjacent alluvial groundwaters. This will <br />have the effect of reducing even further the in -stream concentrations <br />because of additional dilution not accounted for in the computation. On <br />the other hand, the alluvial groundwaters immediately adjacent to the <br />backfilled channel will experience some increase in species <br />concentrations due to this mixing. <br />The degree to which alluvial groundwaters will be affected is <br />difficult to estimate. A plume of affected alluvial groundwater is <br />expected adjacent to the backfilled channel. The width of the plume will <br />be greatest at the downstream end of the backfilled channel. <br />Hydrodynamic dispersion is not known, but the field experience of many <br />researchers indicates that the value of the transverse coefficient is on <br />the order of 5 percent of the longitudinal value of most field <br />situations. <br />Probably more important than transverse dispersion in this case <br />is the interaction between the stream and alluvial groundwaters. As the <br />stream stage increases during periods of high discharge, there will be <br />flow from the stream to the alluvium. The flow will be reversed as the <br />stream stage falls. The mixing caused by such periodic inflows and <br />outflows from the alluvial aquifer is expected to be the dominant factor <br />affecting the concentrations of dissolved species in the alluvial waters. <br />The average concentration of dissolved solids in the alluvial <br />groundwaters was estimated assuming that complete mixing occurs. The <br />calculation was made as follows: <br />C = <br />Cb Vb + Ca Va <br />Vb+Va <br />RN -6 2,05-88 (Repaginated 10/21/16) ` <br />