CHANNEL AND BANK STABILITY OF WOLF CREEK AND A TRIBUTARY AT U.S. HIGHWAY 45 NEAR WHEELER, PRENTISS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI by K. Van Wilson, Jr. and D. Phil Turnipseed Prepared in cooperation with the MISSISSIPPI STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT Jackson, Mississippi 1990 Open-File Report 90-110 TABLE OF CONTENTS Definition of terms Abstract Introduction     Purpose and scope     General description of Wolf Creek     Channel modifications to Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek north tributary, and Twentymile Creek     Acknowledgments Channel-bed stability     Botanical evidence of gradation     Gradation analyses         Wolf Creek         Wolf Creek north tributary Channel-bank stability     Botanical evidence of widening     Stability analyses         Wolf Creek         Wolf Creek north tributary     Widening analyses         Wolf Creek         Wolf Creek north tributary Summary References ILLUSTRATIONS 1. Map showing the location of Wolf Creek and tributaries at existing U.S. Highway 45 and proposed U.S. Highway 45 relocation near Wheeler, MS 2. Graph showing channel-bed profiles for Wolf Creek north tributary in the vicinity of the proposed U.S. Highway 45 relocation near Wheeler, MS 3. Graph showing estimated patterns of channel-bed gradation processes on Wolf Creek at existing U.S. Highway 45 near Wheeler, MS 4. Cross section showing critical failure surfaces for channel banks on Wolf Creek about 180 feet downstream from the proposed U.S. Highway 45 relocation near Wheeler, MS 5. Graph showing estimated patterns of channel widening on Wolf Creek at existing U.S. Highway 45 near Wheeler, MS TABLES 1. Channel-bed elevation and total degradation on Wolf Creek at existing U.S. Highway 45 near Wheeler, MS 2. Dry bulk-unit weight and shear-strength properties of soil as determined from borehole tests on the right (south) bank of Wolf Creek about 180 feet downstream from the proposed U.S. Highway 45 relocation near Wheeler, MS 3. Bankfull channel width and widening on Wolf Creek in the vicinity of existing U.S. Highway 45 Wheeler, MS ABSTRACT The channel of Wolf Creek at the existing and proposed U.S. Highway 45 relocation near Wheeler, Mississippi, has degraded about 8 feet and widened about 122 feet since it was channelized in about 1912. Channel degradation of a small tributary to Wolf Creek has totaled about 2 feet in the vicinity of the proposed relocation. Botanical evidence indicates that several recent bank failures downstream from the proposed relocated crossing of Wolf Creek occurred as a result of floods in 1973, 1977, and 1987-88. Rates of channel gradation and widening--as determined from channel descriptions and botanical evidence along the banks--were used in conjunction with soil properties to estimate probable future channel degradation and widening through the year 2010. By assuming that channel-bed elevations can be expressed as a power function with time, additional channel degradation through the year 2010 could approach 3 feet at the existing and at the proposed crossing of Wolf Creek. No further significant degradation is expected at the proposed crossing of the small tributary to Wolf Creek. The bankfull channel width of Wolf Creek at the existing tributary to Wolf Creek. The bankfull channel width of Wolf Creek at the existing and at the proposed crossing could increase about 30 feet by the year 2010. The channel width of the northern tributary at the proposed crossing could increase about 10 feet in the next 10 to 20 years. These projections are based on the assumption that no additional channel modifications and no unusually large and destructive flooding will occur by the year 2010. LizardTech's Djvu plug-in is needed to view these reports. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ENTIRE REPORT For questions or comments, contact K. Van Wilson.