Resuspension Properties of Sediments from the Fox, Saginaw, and Buffalo Rivers

The resuspension properties of sediments from the Fox, Saginaw, and Buffalo rivers were investigated by means of laboratory experiments and field measurements. In this work, an annular flume and a portable resuspension device (Shaker) were used. The advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of these devices are discussed. By a combination of laboratory and field tests, the resuspension properties of undisturbed sediments in each of these three rivers were approximately determined as a function of shear stress and time after deposition. The results show distinct and quantifiable differences in resuspension properties between sediments in each of the rivers and between muddy and sandy sediments within a river. For each type of sediment in a particular river, the resuspension data can be approximated by a simple equation.