Site Visits

Our first site visit to Shorter Farm took place on October 28, 2021. All 5 team members were present and we were accompanied by Ben Bradley, P.E. The goal of the visit was to take a first look at the project stream reach to understand the fluvial geomorphology of the stream channel. Ben walked us along the channel and we were able to see the locations of both proposed stream crossing locations. Ben also explained the history of the stream reach, including past restoration efforts. We were able to see evidence in a few spots along the reach of high levels of erosion along the streambank and over-widening of the stream channel. We discussed the riffle structure of the reach and its importance when designing a stream crossing. We also began planning a second site visit in the Spring 2022 semester to survey the area and the channel.

The team visited Shorter Farm for a second time to perform cross sectional surveys and a longitudinal profile of the stream on February 7, 2022. All 5 team members were present and we were accompanied by Ben Bradley, P.E. The team utilized a total station instrument in order to take a longitudinal profile of the stream. The team set up the total station in three different locations in order to get a full profile from the head of the riffle above the upstream crossing to the tail of the riffle below the downstream crossing. The laser level was utilized in order to four different cross sections. At each of the existing cross-sections, two different cross sections were laid out and surveyed. At the upstream crossing, one cross-section was laid out along the existing stream crossing. Another cross-section was performed farther down the riffle. At the downstream location, one cross-section was created perpendicular to the stream extending from the existing gate. A second cross-section was surveyed further downstream, closer to the intersection of the tail of the riffle and the beginning of the run. Further analysis of the riffle structure and the needs of the stakeholders will inform the decision on the final proposed location of the downstream crossing.

Jacob and Rachel visited the Shorter Farm on February 16, 2022 to finish some of the remaining data collection for the site. Time constraints and cold temperatures prevented the team from collecting pebble count data on February 7. Rachel and Jacob collected 100 pebbles at both crossings utilizing the Rosgen pebble count method, focusing pebble collection in the riffle crossings. The data was collected and then plotted according to Rosgen method specifications to accurately quantify the particle size distribution within each crossing. This data will be utilized in estimating existing channel roughness across the two crossing.

Rachel, Sarah, Natty, Jacob, and Ben visited a section of Tom's Creek upstream of the Shorter Farm to look for a reference reach to aid in the design process. The team walked a large section of stream upstream of the Shorter Farm maintained by the New River Land Trust and discussed possible sections to utilize as a reference reach. With the assistance of Ben we chose a section of stream and collected a variety of data within the reach. Two cross-section profiles were laid out along the riffles within the reach and a laser level was used to collect cross section profiles. A longitudinal profile was also collected using the laser level. Pebble counts were also collected in both riffles within the reference reach.