**Abstract Text**
Dendrogeomorphology is a time dating technique using tree root anatomical structure to quantify fluvial erosion rates along stream banks. This method, a sub-discipline of dendrochronology, has been adapted from a prediction tool for measuring hillside sediment transport to a tool to measure streambank erosion rates.  The industry standard of measuring fluvial erosion rates is plagued by replication error, poor data quality, long time lapses or expensive technologies. Dendrogeomorphology side steps these constraints and allows the practitioner to calculate an annual erosion rate immediately and without expensive equipment.  The objective of this presentation is to discuss how samples are collected in the field, explain how a tree root’s anatomical structure changes when a root is exposed by streambank erosion and present fluvial erosion data from approximately 18 streams and rivers across the Southeast United States. A comparative analysis between traditional erosion monitoring techniques and dendrogeomorphology will be presented as well as a statistical analysis identifying significance parameters which impact erosion rates between techniques.  A predictive erosion rate model using the Southeastern United States data set will be included in the presentation. Examples of how dendrogeomorphology can be used to develop infrastructure protection plans and sediment management control decisions will also be presented.



Measuring Streambank Erosion Rates Using Exposed Tree Roots (Room 322, Wednesday June 28th, 8:30am-10:00am)

Engineers, researchers, and climate scientists share developments and innovative practices in the water engineering industry. The Technical Committee for Hydraulics Measurements and Experimental Methods (TCHMEM) of EWRI has organized the HMEM conference six times since 1994, when the first HMEM conference was held in Buffalo, NY. Since then, successful conferences were held in Estes Park, Colorado (2002), Lake Placid, New York (2007), Snowbird, Utah (2012), and Durham, New Hampshire (2017).