Time-series Changes in Particle Size Characteristics of Suspended Sediment at the Seungchon and the Juksan Weir in the Yeongsan River

영산강 부유하중의 시계열적 입도 특성 변화: 승촌보, 죽산보를 중심으로

In order to establish appropriate policy to control sediment-associated problems, it is necessary to identify the physical characteristics of the reservoir sediments in particulate form in the Yeongsan River. Two time-integrated suspended sediment samplers were installed at Seungchon and Juksan weir on the upper and middle Yeongsan River in July 2012. Reservoir sediment samples were obtained at monthly intervals until October 2014. During the monitoring period, a total of 38 sediment samples were obtained and analyzed. Seasonal trends of suspended sedimentation rates and grain size distributions were examined based on variations in precipitation and discharge fluctuations. Moreover, stream flow characteristics, which has a great influence on the physical characteristics of the river sediment, was analyzed using flow duration curve for the period 2003-2019 at Naju gauging station. Sedimentation rates during summer, when heavy rainfall was concentrated due to the monsoonal front and typhoon, were very high, indicating the positive relationship between sediment concentration and discharge. Particle size analysis of the collected sediment showed that coarse silt and very fine sand-sized sediment dominated most of the Seungchon weir sediment. On the other hand, medium silt-sized sediment dominated the downstream Juksan weir except for a few summer samples. These results implied that the physical characteristics of the suspended sediment are determined not only due to flow fluctuations, but also with regard to the antecedent rainfall conditions, hillslope-channel connectivity, and the supply of materials from various contributing regions. This information about flow characteristics and temporal variations in reservoir sediment can be used for safe management of the weir and discussing the issues on the dismantling of the weirs.