ABSTRACT
Channelization is a controversial engineering practice used most often in an attempt to control flooding or drain wetlands for farming. A general discussion of the environmental, geomorphological, and engineering aspects of channelization that might be combined to alleviate some of the adverse impacts associated with man’s modification of streams is offered. Human use and interest in the land has historically included significant drainage modification. In recent years, two types of channelization have emerged: planned projects in which engineering design and environmental impact may or may not be integral parts, and emergency channel work following catastrophic storms, which may often be done without proper planning and engineering. The possible adverse environmental impacts due to channelization are well known and documented in numerous case studies. Generally, the adverse effects fall into one of several categories: damage to the physical stream channel and/or floodplain, damage to fish and wildlife, aesthetic degradation, and downstream effects.
