Topographical Survey

The topographical survey should at least cover the river cross-section details like flood level in
the history, water level, levee systems, existing structures with details like if there is a gabion
protection then the height of gabion width of gabion and picture showing it etc. Similarly, it
should at least go 10m above the flood level and if the flood level cannot be noted then at least
30m above the current water level. If the surface is flat then the survey should cover the flood
plain. The contour interval for surveying is 1m for minor and 5m for major contours. If
possible, please try to note the geology, land use and land cover type like rocky surface,
agricultural land, barren land, flood plain, etc. The cross-section interval is 10-50m in straight
reach and 1-5m in bends. Please take dense points for bends.

Bed sediment
The method involves collecting an estimate of different sediment layers for
example both the armoured (coarse bed layer protecting finer sediments
underneath) layer and the sub-surface layer (sediments found underneath
the armoured layer which may become available during flood events). Due
to the difficulty of gathering a representative sample in the situation where
sediment sizes are large, different methods of sampling (observation and
photography) and estimating particle size distribution are going to be used.
The river bed at the site of interest (mainly consists of coarse bed
sediment. Firstly it is important to choose a site that is representative of the
sediment you are trying to collect. Consideration should also be given to
health and safety at the sampling point (i.e. in/out of the channel). If a
sampling location is considered within the watercourse (not advisable)
please bear in mind that during sampling fine sediment is likely to be lost to
the river, thereby biasing the sample.

Table 3.3. Sediment size classifications (after Jansen, 1979) (note. always assigned by the B
axis)
Classification Size (mm)
Boulder >256mm
Cobble 64-256mm
Gravel 2-64mm
Sand 0.063-2mm
Fines (silt/mud) <0.063mm

Procedure (see also Appendix A6):

Choose sample location
Take general photo of the site and record
Observe and note the site location in relation to structures. Observe the
behaviour of sediments as a result of these structures.
Draw cross-section and plan sketch of the river at the sampling location,
noting relevant fluvial (geo) morphological features
Observe clarity of water and note (indication of suspended solid load)
Observe flow characteristics at the site. Note also whether the flow is low
or high as this will indicate the bias in your results (a full river is likely to be
more turbid as it may have a higher sediment load).
Set out 1m sampling grid to begin sediment sampling
Decide whether the sample represents an armoured bed (this may
determine your sampling method)
Within the sampling grid count the number of particles of each size.
Determine the percentage of sample this represents and therefore
calculate the cumulative sample percentage
Take a photo of the sample; include a scale in the photo for analysis back
in the office. Follow the same procedure in the office.
Using the same sampling grid, now dig down approximately 40cm to
reach the subsurface sediment. Repeat the same process (last 5 points
starting with: Within the sampling grid count the number of particles of
each size).
Sediment sample form 1
Date: Location(co- Site Ref:
Surveyor ordinates) Photo No
River Reach Name Site Features:
(structure location
etc)
Site Location observations

Sample location:
(Draw cross section and plan indicating relevant features eg pools, bars, areas of erosion,
sedimentation etc

Sample location (flow characteristics)

(mention if flow, no perceptible/slow/fast/white/turbulent/standing waves/chute)

Suspended solids( clear water or turbid water)

Gravels type: roundness

Other observation(vegetation on banks, evidence of ecology eg birds fish etc

Form 2
Sampling in field
Armoured layer ( top surface)
Particle size Observatio Representativ % of Sample Cummulative
n e volume %
Boulder 256 mm and
above
Cobble 64-256mm
Gravel 2-64 mm
Sand 0.063-2mm
Fines Less than
0.063 mm
Total

Sub-surface layer (40 cm below the top layer

Particle size
Boulder 256 mm and
above
Cobble 64-256mm
Gravel 2-64 mm
Sand 0.063-2mm
Fines Less than
0.063 mm
Total

Estimation of sorting

Visual estimation of roundness