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199-7 Growth of Alluvial Fans Draining to Reelfoot Lake in West Tennessee

Session: Advances in Fluvial Processes and Sediment Transport, Part II

Presenting Author:

Chayan Lahiri

Authors:

Lahiri, Chayan¹, Diehl, Timothy H², Heal, Elizabeth N³

(1) Geosciences, Adams State University, Alamosa, CO, USA, (2) Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center - Nashville, TN Office, US Geological Survey (Retired), Nashville, TN, USA, (3) Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center - Nashville, TN Office, US Geological Survey, Nashville, TN, USA,

Abstract:

Reelfoot Lake, the largest natural lake in Tennessee, has undergone increased sedimentation due to agriculture clearing and the channelization of its tributaries. Growing alluvial fans trapped much of the increased sediment delivery from tributaries that would otherwise have gone into Reelfoot Lake. This study investigates the evolution of two major alluvial fans, at the mouths of Reelfoot Creek and Indian Creek, along with additional smaller alluvial fans, from 1925 to 2023. Channelization in the 1950’s accelerated sediment delivery and alluvial fan growth with the Reelfoot Creek alluvial fan undergoing its most active deposition following channelization. Sediment retention dams later reduced sediment deposition rates. High-resolution DEM comparisons from 2011 and 2019 showed that rapid deposition was confined to limited areas. Despite maintenance efforts, agricultural drainage issues persist due to backwater created by deposition on alluvial fans.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-9812

Growth of Alluvial Fans Draining to Reelfoot Lake in West Tennessee

Description

Session Format: Oral

Presentation Date: 10/21/2025

Presentation Start Time: 03:10 PM

Presentation Room: HBGCC, 212AB

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