I work in the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS). This is a highly regulated river system. There are six study reaches within this system. Preliminary analysis has determined that the lower three study reaches experience annual flood that extend throughout the year; whereas, the northern three reaches do not experience such extreme flood events. I am interested in analyzing data on the hydrology of these systems, the fish community, water quality, and any other parameters that are recommended. The southern three reaches seem to be hydrologically distinct from the northern three. So my question is: what makes a river floodplain ecosystem a river floodplain ecosystem?
You might be interested in classifying the differences in valley and stream type to help explain flooding differences (see work of David Rosgen at www.wildlandhydrology.com). Aggraded and braided systems flood frequently, and often develop downstream of higher gradient areas as sediment settles and is too much for the lower gradient valleys and streams to move. Floodplain ecosystems flood, some frequently, some portions infrequent. The soils and plants help to define and classify these differences. Although not all floodplains are dominated by hydric soils and hydrophytic plants, the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual and various after supplements published by the US Corps of Engineers can be very helpful in separating out some of the differences in floodplain ecosystems. Soil maps also typically separate out soils that experience flooding, and often the plants, hydology and habitat are influenced by or represented within the classified soils, especially when the soil mapping has been updated, as it is not unusual for some of the older maps to limit differentiation, and just map these areas as mixed alluvial soils.
I forgot to mention snowmelt and regulation effects can also contribute to downstream flooding duration, frequency and extent.
Hi, I am from Ganges floodplain. I worked there.
You will definitely find differences in fish community, plants, birds and other animals, water quality and microbes.
Here, you should also consider soil quality in your project. Soil quality and microbes are also responsible to make a river floodplain ecosystem a river floodplain ecosystem.
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