Publication Citation

USGS Series Professional Paper
Report Number 1573
Title Sediment transport at gaging stations near Mount St. Helens, Washington, 1980-90; data collection and analysis
Edition -
Language ENGLISH
Author(s) Dinehart, Randal L.
Year 1998
Originating office
USGS Library Call Number (200) B no.1573
Physical description 105 p.
ISBN

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Abstract

River sedimentation caused by the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens has been monitored in a continuing program by the U.S. Geological Survey. The magnitude and changes in sediment transport are summarized for several eruption-affected streams, including Green River, North and South Fork Toutle rivers, Cowlitz River, Clearwater Creek and Muddy River. About 170 million tons of sediment (excluding volcanic debris flows) were transported in suspension from the Toutle River basin during water years 1980-1990. Another 13 million tons were transported past gaging stations on Muddy River during water years 1982-1990. Long-term reductions in sediment concentration occurred within most ranges of stream discharge at streams dominated by the debris-avalanche deposit in the North Fork Toutle River and at streams with sediment sources dominated by airfall deposits from the eruption.