Realignment Evaluation Procedure
The realignment of natural streams may disrupt the balance of the natural system. When evaluating stream modifications, use the following procedure:
- Establish slope, section, meander pattern and for present region.
- Determine thresholds for changes in the various regime parameters.
- Duplicate the existing regime, where possible, but keep within the established tolerances for change, where duplication is not practical or possible.
Stream realignment may occasionally decrease channel slope; more often, the modification will increase the channel gradient. A localized increase in channel slope may introduce channel responses that are reflected for considerable distances upstream and downstream of the project.