Whitewater Sound Dependence on Discharge and Wave Configuration at an
Adjustable Wave Feature
Abstract
Stream acoustics has been proposed as a means of monitoring discharge
and wave hazards from outside the stream channel. To better understand
the dependence of sound on discharge and wave characteristics, this
study analyzes discharge and infrasound data from an artificial wave
feature. This feature, known as Boise Whitewater Park: Phase 1 (BWPP1),
is adjusted to accommodate daily changes in recreational use and
seasonal changes in irrigation demand. Significant sound is only
observed when discharge exceeds ~35 m3/s, and
even above that threshold the sound-discharge relationship is non-linear
and inconsistent. When sound is observed, it shows consistent dependence
on wave type within a given year, but the direction of this dependence
varies among the three years studied (2016, 2021, and 2022). These
findings support previous research that establishes discharge and stream
morphology as significant controls on stream acoustics and highlights
the complex, combined effects of these variables.