VARIABILITY OF IN-CHANNEL SEDIMENT STORAGE WITHIN A SMALL SEMIARID DRAINAGE BASIN

This study determines the spatial and temporal variability of in-channel storage within a small semiarid drainage basin in equatorial East Africa, and establishes a tentative sediment budget for coarse (>200 μm) in-channel sediments. Detailed measurements of in-channel sediment storage (mass) within third and fourth-order ephemeral channels were obtained using channel-pit excavations and probing with metal rods. Eighty-seven monumented cross-sections were established in February 1986 and resurveyed in December 1986, following the last runoff event of the year. These provided data on change in sediment storage on a 30-m channel reach basis. In addition, measurements of bankfull channel width, mean depth, cross-sectional area, wetted perimeter, hydraulic radius, channel slope and distance from the basin outlet were measured at each cross section. Total in-channel sediment storage was approximately 8640 t with 83% of this total stored within the Main (fourth-order) Channel. Stepwise multiple regression of In-transformed data indicated that bankfull channel width and distance from the outlet (which is strongly related with slope) were significantly related to in-channel storage. The variation in the ratio of stream power:critical power along the Main Channel may explain the distribution of in-channel sediments. Net aggradation of 50 to 60 t during 1986 was minor in relation to the total in-channel storage reservoir, but indicates that a static equilibrium condition cannot be assumed. Bedload output during 1986 was approximately 125 t, and the computed input of coarse sediments to the major channels within the basin was approximately 185 t. The sediment delivery ratio for the coarse material was approximately 68%, which indicates a relatively efficient transport system. Key words: geomorphology, sediment budget, in-channel sediment storage, semiarid, drainage basin.]