The impact of suburbanization on fluvial geomorphology

Abstract

Analysis of aerial photography for the period 1950–1971 and field data collected from 1970 to 1974 indicate that in the Denver area suburban development has caused significant changes in fluvial systems. By first introducing large quantities of sediment and later by increasing surface runoff, suburban development leads to an expansion of floodplains followed by downcutting of streams. As areas of suburban development increase, greater percentages of stream lengths are dominated by transportation, and lesser percentages are dominated by erosion and deposition.