As part of the USGS Coral Reef Project, the USGS is working on the island of Kauaʻi to identify circulation patterns and a sediment budget for Hanalei Bay to help determine any effects to the coastal marine ecosystem.
Overview
Geologically the oldest of the main eight Hawaiian Islands, the northernmost island of Kauaʻi has a total area of 142 sq km (552 sq mi). This island receives the most rainfall of the main eight Hawaiian Islands, thus giving its nickname of the Garden Isle. Kauaʻi is surrounded on all sides by a fringing reef, with a reef flat sometimes as wide as 1 km (0.6 mi). The reef is under the influence of high wave energy due to the island's geographic position.
Motivation
In June 2005 the USGS began a partnership with the Hanalei Watershed Hui. In 1998 the Hanalei River was designated as an American Heritage River in order to foster cooperative, community-based efforts for the preservation of the surrounding environment. The Hanalei River Valley is home to numerous taro farms and water quality and useage for irrigation are of concern. In an effort to halt flooding, levees were built along portions of the river, thus leading to increased discharge into Hanalei Bay during storm events. We are working on identifying circulation patterns and a sediment budget for Hanalei Bay to help determine any effects to the coastal marine ecosystem including coral reefs.
Other partners working in the Hanalei watershed area include the University of Hawaiʻi, the State of Hawaiʻi (Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources), and Federal organizations (U.S. Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency). Their sum total have contributed markedly to our understanding of processes in the watershed.
The Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi is just one of the USGS Coral Reef Project's study locations.
Below are data releases associated with this project.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Supply and dispersal of flood sediment from a steep, tropical watershed: Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Coastal circulation and sediment dynamics in Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i. Part IV: Measurements of waves, currents, temperature, salinity, and turbidity: June-September 2006
Sedimentary properties of shallow marine cores collected in June and September 2006, Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, Hawai'i
Science and management in the Hanalei watershed: A trans-disciplinary approach: Proceedings from the Hanalei watershed workshop, February 21-22, 2007
Coastal circulation and sediment dynamics in Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, Hawaii. Part III: Studies of sediment toxicity
Coastal circulation and sediment dynamics in Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, Hawaii: Part II: Tracking recent fluvial sedimentation: Isotope stratigraphy obtained in Summer 2005
Coastal circulation and sediment dynamics in Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Part I, Measurements of waves, currents, temperature, salinity and turbidity; June–August, 2005
El Nino influence on Holocene reef accretion in Hawai'i
As part of the USGS Coral Reef Project, the USGS is working on the island of Kauaʻi to identify circulation patterns and a sediment budget for Hanalei Bay to help determine any effects to the coastal marine ecosystem.
Overview
Geologically the oldest of the main eight Hawaiian Islands, the northernmost island of Kauaʻi has a total area of 142 sq km (552 sq mi). This island receives the most rainfall of the main eight Hawaiian Islands, thus giving its nickname of the Garden Isle. Kauaʻi is surrounded on all sides by a fringing reef, with a reef flat sometimes as wide as 1 km (0.6 mi). The reef is under the influence of high wave energy due to the island's geographic position.
Motivation
In June 2005 the USGS began a partnership with the Hanalei Watershed Hui. In 1998 the Hanalei River was designated as an American Heritage River in order to foster cooperative, community-based efforts for the preservation of the surrounding environment. The Hanalei River Valley is home to numerous taro farms and water quality and useage for irrigation are of concern. In an effort to halt flooding, levees were built along portions of the river, thus leading to increased discharge into Hanalei Bay during storm events. We are working on identifying circulation patterns and a sediment budget for Hanalei Bay to help determine any effects to the coastal marine ecosystem including coral reefs.
Other partners working in the Hanalei watershed area include the University of Hawaiʻi, the State of Hawaiʻi (Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources), and Federal organizations (U.S. Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency). Their sum total have contributed markedly to our understanding of processes in the watershed.
The Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi is just one of the USGS Coral Reef Project's study locations.
Below are data releases associated with this project.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.