Ephemeral Tributary Sediment Transport Measurement | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Ephemeral Tributary Sediment Transport Measurement opportunity?

This opportunity is a continuation cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (DOI-BOR). It focuses on improving how sediment movement is measured and estimated in ungagged, short-lived (ephemeral) flow channels, especially during storm-driven flows.

What is the main goal of the project?

The core goal is to collect surrogate sensor measurements at the same time as definitive, physical measurements of sediment flux in an ephemeral channel. Those paired datasets are then used to evaluate which surrogate signals best track actual sediment transport.

What does "surrogate" measurement mean in this project?

In this context, a surrogate measurement is an indirect sensor signal (for example, acoustic or pressure-based indicators) that could potentially stand in for direct sediment flux measurements. The project is testing whether these easier-to-deploy signals can reliably represent real sediment transport during storm events.

Why focus on ephemeral tributaries?

Ephemeral tributaries can deliver large pulses of sediment during storm events, but they are commonly ungagged and difficult to monitor because flows are intermittent, flashy, and unpredictable. These conditions make it hard to capture key events using traditional field sampling alone.

What problem with traditional sediment measurement approaches is this project trying to address?

Traditional approaches to measuring bedload and total sediment flux can be labor-intensive, expensive, and prone to missing critical storm events. The project aims to identify practical sensor-based alternatives that reduce the need for intensive physical sampling during hard-to-capture flows.

What field-critical question is the project trying to answer?

The project is trying to determine what relatively low-cost, easy-to-deploy measurements can reliably stand in for direct sediment flux measurements during storm-driven flows in ephemeral channels.

What is meant by "definitive, physical measurements" of sediment flux?

These are direct measurements collected in the field that quantify sediment transport (sediment flux) using physical sampling methods. In this project, those direct measurements are used as the reference to test and calibrate surrogate sensor signals.

How will the project use paired datasets?

The project will collect surrogate sensor readings and physical sediment flux measurements at the same time. By comparing the two, researchers can determine which sensor signals most closely track measured sediment transport and can be used to estimate bedload transport during storm events.

Where is the work being carried out?

The work is centered at Arroyo de los Pios on the west side of the Rio Grande, across from Socorro, New Mexico.

Who is the agreement associated with?

The notice of intent describes the award as a modification to an existing agreement with the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

What does the modification to the existing agreement do?

The modification primarily adds funding to purchase equipment needed to carry out an expanded measurement program, including sensors and the supporting data acquisition hardware for synchronized monitoring.

What kinds of sensors and equipment are being purchased?

The planned purchases include pipe hydrophones, pressure sensors, and a rain gage, along with suspended sediment measurement equipment such as a suspended sediment sampler and turbidity meters. The funding also covers data loggers and supporting electronics needed to integrate and automate field data collection.

What are pipe hydrophones used for in this project?

Pipe hydrophones are intended to capture an acoustic surrogate for bedload movement. The idea is to test whether acoustic signals can serve as a reliable indicator of bedload transport when compared with direct measurements.

What are the pressure sensors used for?

The pressure sensors are planned to quantify hydrostatic pressure and to help measure the rate of sediment entering bedload traps, supporting the effort to connect sensor signals to actual sediment transport conditions.

Why is a rain gage included?

A rain gage is included to characterize storm inputs. Since storm events drive many ephemeral flows and sediment pulses, rainfall measurements help link storm conditions to observed flow and sediment transport responses.

What suspended sediment equipment is included and why?

The project includes a suspended sediment sampler and turbidity meters. This reflects an interest in connecting storm and flow conditions not only to coarse bedload transport but also to fine sediment transport in suspension.

What is the purpose of the data loggers and supporting electronics?

They provide the data acquisition backbone needed to integrate multiple sensors for continuous and synchronized monitoring in the field. This includes items such as connectors, software, converters, Modbus modules, relay boxes, and distributor boxes.

Why is continuous, synchronized monitoring important for this work?

Ephemeral systems can peak suddenly, outside working hours, and may be difficult to instrument during active storm flows. Automated, rugged, synchronized monitoring increases the chance of capturing key events and aligning sensor signals with physical measurements.

How could the results help water and sediment managers?

If defensible relationships can be established between surrogate data streams and measured sediment flux, practitioners could estimate bedload transport during storm events more practically, without relying solely on intensive physical sampling. This supports better understanding of sediment delivery to larger rivers and reservoirs.

Why does sediment delivery to larger rivers and reservoirs matter?

Sediment impacts water quality, channel form, habitat, and reservoir storage. Better estimates of sediment delivery and transport can improve management decisions related to these downstream effects.

How many awards are expected under this opportunity?

One award is expected.

What is the award ceiling?

The award ceiling is $76,000.

How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized as science and technology/research and development.

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 15.560.

What are the listed closing dates?

The original and current closing date are both listed as May 11, 2016.