An evaluation of stream characteristics in glacial versus fluvial process domains in the Colorado Front Range

• Spatial differentiation of process domains exist within the river network.
• Stream morphology differs significantly between glacial and fluvial process domains.
• Streams below the glacial limit are more adjusted to water and sediment regimes.

Many of the conceptual models developed for river networks emphasize progressive downstream trends in morphology and processes. Such models can fall short in describing the longitudinal variability associated with low-order streams. A more thorough understanding of the influence of local variability of process and form in low-order stream channels is required to remotely and accurately predict channel geometry characteristics for management purposes, and in this context designating process domains is useful. We define process domains with respect to glacial versus fluvial valleys and lateral confinement of valley segments. We evaluated local variability of process domains in the Colorado Front Range by systematically following streams, categorizing them into stream morphologic type and process domain, and evaluating a number of channel geometry characteristics. We evaluated 111 stream reaches for significant differences in channel geometry among stream types and process domains, location and clustering of stream types on a slope–drainage area (S–A) plot and downstream hydraulic geometry relationships. Although individual channel geometry variables differed significantly between individual stream types in glacial and fluvial process domains, no single channel geometry variable consistently differentiated all stream types between process domains. Hypothetical S–A boundaries between bedrock- and alluvial-bed channels proposed in previous studies did not reliably divide bedrock and alluvial reaches for our study sites. Although downstream hydraulic geometry relationships are well-defined using all reaches in the study area, reaches in glacial valleys display much more variability in channel geometry characteristics than reaches in fluvial valleys, less pronounced downstream hydraulic geometry relationships, and greater scatter of reaches on an S–A plot. Local spatial variability associated with process domains at the reach scale (101–103 m) overrides progressive downstream relationships in low-order mountain streams of the Colorado Front Range.