Sediment Investigations–Middle Rio Grande

The Middle Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico extends approximately 163 river miles. A comprehensive data collection program was developed for use in a channel rectification plan that would alleviate the aggradation problem caused by sediment depositions. River ranges were resurveyed to determine the rates and volume of aggradation or degradation or both in the river channel and flood plain. Channel hydraulics and sediment data were collected at special reaches of the river not affected by natural or artificial restrictions such as bridges. As a result of special analyses, the modified Einstein procedure was adopted for computing the total sediment load at a single cross section for 301 special measurements. The data were used to develop total sediment load rating curves and hydraulics and sediment transport relationships in the design of channel rectification in the Middle Rio Grande Valley.