Creating Ditches with Floodplains

Two-stage channel systems incorporate benches that function as floodplains. In comparison to floodplains in natural streams, the width of the benches is often small due economic and land loss considerations. This manuscript outlines measurement and analysis procedures that can be used to size two-stage channel systems that are more self-sustaining than conventional one-stage constructed channels. The analysis procedures are incorporated in the STREAMS spreadsheet tools that have been developed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio State University. Construction of a two-stage channel system requires a significant capital investment to create a wider surface width.