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Sedimentation and erosion in Lake Diefenbaker, Canada: solutions for shoreline retreat monitoring

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Abstract

This study looks into sedimentation and erosion rates in Lake Diefenbaker, a prairie reservoir, in Saskatchewan, Canada, which has been in operation since 1968. First, we looked at the historical data in all different formats over the last 70 years, which includes data from more than 20 years before the formation of the lake. The field observations indicate high rates of shoreline erosion, especially in the upstream portion as a potential region for shoreline retreat. Because of the great importance of this waterbody to the province, monitoring sedimentation and erosion rates is necessary for maintaining the quality of water especially after severe floods which are more common due to climate change effects. Second, we used Google Maps Elevation API, a new tool from Google that provides elevation data for cross sections drawn between two points, by drawing 24 cross sections in the upstream area extending 250 m from each bank. This feature from Google can be used as an easy and fast monitoring tool, is free of charge, and provides excellent control capabilities for monitoring changes in cross-sectional profiles.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Howard Wheater, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Water Security, for funding this project, Paul Jones for providing the boat and truck that made the field work possible, and Franny Rawlyk and Bryce Geeraert for assisting with the fieldwork.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Global Institute for Water Security and School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5, Canada

    Amir Sadeghian & Karl-Erich Lindenschmidt

  2. Centre for Hydrology and Department of Geography and Planning, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5C8, Canada

    Dirk de Boer

Authors
  1. Amir Sadeghian
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  2. Dirk de Boer
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  3. Karl-Erich Lindenschmidt
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Correspondence to Amir Sadeghian.

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Sadeghian, A., de Boer, D. & Lindenschmidt, KE. Sedimentation and erosion in Lake Diefenbaker, Canada: solutions for shoreline retreat monitoring. Environ Monit Assess 189, 507 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6217-7

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