Methodology for Predicting Channel Migration: NCHRP Project No. 24-16

Channel migration can have a significant impact on the design, maintenance, and inspection of bridges and other highway facilities. The result at a bridge can be excessive abutment and pier scour, loss of conveyance, and erosion of bridge approaches. To address these problems the Transportation Research Board, through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, initiated NCHRP Project No. 24-16. The objective of this project is to develop a practical methodology to predict the rate and extent of channel migration (i.e., lateral channel shift and down valley migration) in proximity to transportation facilities. The methodology should enable practicing engineers to evaluate and determine bridge and other highway facility locations and sizes and ascertain the need for countermeasures considering the potential impacts of channel meander migration over the life of the bridge or highway river crossing. This paper provides a status report on NCHRP Project 24-16 and a summary of anticipated research results.