A head cut (alternately headcut[1]), in streamgeomorphology, is an erosional feature of some intermittent and perennialstreams. Headcuts and headward erosion are hallmarks of unstable expanding drainage features such as actively eroding gullies.[1] Headcuts are a type of knickpoint that, as the name indicates, occur at the head (upstream extent) of a channel.[2]
The knickpoint, where a head cut begins, can be as small as an overly-steep riffle zone or as a large as a waterfall. When it is not flowing, the head cut will resemble a very short cliff or bluff. A small plunge pool may be present at the base of the head cut due to the high energy of falling water. As erosion of the knickpoint and the streambed continues, the head cut will migrate upstream.[3]
Groundwater seeps and springs are sometimes found along the face, sides, or base of a head cut.[4][5]
Channel incision is very common when head cuts are involved in stream morphology. In terms of stream restoration, head cuts are one of the most difficult challenges. Installing check dams or elevating the stream by filling the gully are common ways to mitigate up stream migration of the knickpoint. Another common way to control the knickpoint is by sloping the bank face by laying down fabric and rock.
References
^ abKnighton, David (1998). Fluvial Forms and Processes, A New Persepective.
^ Bierman, Paul; Montgomery, David (2013). Key Concepts in Geomorphology.
^North Carolina Division of Water Quality, "Identification Methods for the Origins of Intermittent and Perennial Streams, Version 3.1", February 28, 2005
^Wells, Robert; et al. (April 2006). "IMPACT OF NON-ERODIBLE LAYER ON EPHEMERAL GULLY DEVELOPMENT" (PDF). USGS publications. Retrieved December 14, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
External links
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
January 14, 2023
head, stream, geomorphology, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, head, stream, geomorphology, news, news. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Head cut stream geomorphology news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message A head cut alternately headcut 1 in stream geomorphology is an erosional feature of some intermittent and perennial streams Headcuts and headward erosion are hallmarks of unstable expanding drainage features such as actively eroding gullies 1 Headcuts are a type of knickpoint that as the name indicates occur at the head upstream extent of a channel 2 The knickpoint where a head cut begins can be as small as an overly steep riffle zone or as a large as a waterfall When it is not flowing the head cut will resemble a very short cliff or bluff A small plunge pool may be present at the base of the head cut due to the high energy of falling water As erosion of the knickpoint and the streambed continues the head cut will migrate upstream 3 Groundwater seeps and springs are sometimes found along the face sides or base of a head cut 4 5 Channel incision is very common when head cuts are involved in stream morphology In terms of stream restoration head cuts are one of the most difficult challenges Installing check dams or elevating the stream by filling the gully are common ways to mitigate up stream migration of the knickpoint Another common way to control the knickpoint is by sloping the bank face by laying down fabric and rock References Edit a b Knighton David 1998 Fluvial Forms and Processes A New Persepective Bierman Paul Montgomery David 2013 Key Concepts in Geomorphology Wilcox J et al Feather River Resource Management Group December 2001 Evaluation of geomorphic restoration techniques applied to fluvial systems Available from http www feather rivercrm org publications preports georest cover html North Carolina Division of Water Quality Identification Methods for the Origins of Intermittent and Perennial Streams Version 3 1 February 28 2005 Wells Robert et al April 2006 IMPACT OF NON ERODIBLE LAYER ON EPHEMERAL GULLY DEVELOPMENT PDF USGS publications Retrieved December 14 2020 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link External links EditNorth Carolina Division of Water Quality 1 Stream restoration problems Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Head cut stream geomorphology amp oldid 1093867064, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
