Shear Stress and Sediment Resuspension in Canopy-and Meadow-Forming Submersed Macrophyte Communities

This technical note examines the impact of differing biomass levels and plant architectural types on bottom shear stress and sediment resuspension in shallow systems. Studies were conducted at Lake Christina, Minnesota, in late August-early September 1998, when macrophyte biomass levels exceeded 200 g/m2 and in June 2000, when biomass was greatly reduced (<20 g/m2). The macrophyte beds that were studied were dominated by either a canopy-forming species (Myriophyllum sibiricum) or a meadow-forming species (Chara canescens). Information obtained from this study may be used to modify resuspension models to account for the impacts of macrophyte communities on bottom shear stress and sediment resuspension in shallow systems.