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/ SHALLOWFLOOD FLOOD1/1 1/1 SHALLOW
EXISTING BACM SHALLOW FLOOD [Controlling dust by saturating and covering soils with water] STATUS:
Approved Best Available Control Measure (BACM)
COVERAGE:
35.6 square miles
WATER USE:
3-5 acre feet of water per foot per year
REQUIRES:
Clay soils and ideally, proximity to seeps and springs
CONSTRUCTION:
Infrastructure for water transmission, outlets, electrical wiring, piping, berms for access, flood control, and to protect against wave erosion, sprinkler heads and bubblers placed at least once every 70’.
LAYOUT:
Sequential pools follow flow from edges of the lake inward towards brine pool.
DESIGN POSSIBILITIES:
Shape and size of berms and pools for views and accessability.
HABITAT VALUE:
High. Shallow flood allows for the resurrection of Owens Lake habitat and foodweb for resident shorebirds, migratory birds, and invertebrates such as brine flies and brine shrimp. It can also provide ideal conditions for algae and microscopic bacteria such as halobacteria and dunaliella, which cause water to take on reddish, brownish, or greenish hues.
OTHER PUBLIC TRUST VALUE:
Moderate. Shallow flood cells are the most aesthetically pleasing BACM with stunning reflections and interesting colored pools. Bird habitat leads to birdwatching; however, access is limited to berms and the water in most pools are unsafe for human contact, limiting recreation potential.
COST:
$12,900,000 per square mile, water cost is $1,240,000 per square mile, and 1 full time employee per 580 acres of flooded area is required.
PUBLIC TRUST GRADE:
A
COST GRADE:
C
ENJOYING THE SHALLOW FLOOD
75% coverage REQUIRED DUST CONTROL COVERAGE
Water must cover or saturate at least 75% of the 100% coverage ground to achieve required dust control. The image above shows a lateral shallow flood with saturated ground in black, and dry areas in white.
SECTIONS LATERAL SHALLOW FLOOD In lateral shallow flood, water flows downhill and creates a mosaic of saturated surfaces with occasional pooling, resulting in water gathering in tailwater ponds.
tailwater ponds 1’-2’ deep
berms with arizona spillways control overflow into the tailwater ponds
rip rap lines berms to prevent erosion
berm for access saturated surfaces 1”-6” deep
bubblers
0
POND SHALLOW FLOOD In pond shallow flood, water is deeper and dust control cells form one continuous pond.
berms with arizona spillways control overflow into the next cell
rip rap lines berms to prevent erosion
ponding 1’-2’ deep
30’
berm for access
bubblers
0
30’
USCUSC Landscape Morphologies Lab Lab // Owens LakeLake Research // Last Modified 7/23/2012 Landscape Morphologies // Owens Research // Last Modified 7/9/12