Planning Techniques for Renovation and Management of the Deep Fork River, Northcentral Oklahoma

Abstract

A balanced coexistence between a stream ecosystem and society can and should exist, particularly for those individuals owning land within a stream's floodplain boundaries. Such a coexistence depends on successful functioning of a stream in draining its adjoining flocx:iplain and watershed, as well as on wise land-use preferences and decisions consistent with environmental constraints within the stream basin. Where natural or human forces have disrupted the balance, environmentally sound and socially effective stream improvement measures must be implemented. The intent of this study was to investigate whether renovating a reach of the Deep Fork River would be a viable alternative to channelization proposed for the stream. Originally, renovation of the Deep Fork appeared to be an hydraulic, social, and biological challenge. The thesis conveys how the first two canponents were met. Specifically, I intended to show that flood stages could be effectively reduced by channel renovation. Also, I intended to determine if flocx:iplain landqvmers considered renovation an acceptable alternative to channelization. Results indicated that channel renovation can reduce f locxl stages fran small to medium storm events. Also, a nearly equal percentage of floodplain landowners supported stream renovation canpared to those supporting channelization alternatives with or without a navigation component included.