Estimation of stream bank erosion by BSTEM model

Stream bank erosion is known to be a major source of sediment shedding in streams and rivers. However it is difficult to define and estimate the contribution of sediment from river erosion. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the application of BSTEM model as a viable tool for identifying and quantifying the controlling bank-slope conditions for a range of stream-restoration objectives, evaluation of the importance of fluvial erosion, vegetation properties and near-bank pore-water pressure properties. The Bank Stability and Toe Erosion Model (BSTEM) were used in order to predict streambank retreat due to both fluvial erosion and geotechnical failure. In this research, BSTEM model also was used to simulate hydraulic erosion at the bank toe and bank stability during a series of flow events (bankfull discharge, mean annual flood, maximum flood discharge) for the purpose of evaluating current (existing) and potential changes in failure frequency (factor of safety or FS) and stream bank-derived loadings. The study site is located at the exit point of the Lavij river from the mountains in Kashpal park area (Chamestan-noor). Every year there is a significant amount of bank erosion caused by large floods in this river section. This study showed that for a multilayered stream bank in Lavij River, the most significant retreat occurred during a series of high flow events. In fact, the floods that occur with a return period of more than 10 years, play an important role in fluvial erosion and lateral retreat processes. Results of BSTEM analysis showed that lateral retreat measured at the stream bank in different scenarios ranged from 0 to 81cm and the bank stability conditions in the first scenario is unstable (FS =0.9), but in the second and thirds scenarios is almost stable (FS=1.15-1.26). Bank top vegetation provided additional cohesive strength to the top 1.0 m of the bank and resulted in a further reduction of failure frequency and failure volume. Results of this study showed that toe protection added to eroding stream banks can reduce overall volumes of eroded sediment.