Eolian sediment transport during dust storms: Slims River Valley, Yukon Territory

The amount of sediment transported by wind in surface creep, saltation, and suspension was measured during 15 dust storms in the Slims River Valley, Yukon Territory. Results of the investigation showed that the quantity of sediment transported in creep and saltation varied approximately with the cube of shear velocity, which supports theoretical and empirical models presented by other investigators. The suspended sediment flow rate, however, seemed to be more directly controlled by the degree of air turbulence than by shear velocity. The total sediment transport rate was also shown to be directly affected by the surface moisture content and the presence of soluble salts at or near the surface. Both these factors tend to stabilize the surface by holding individual grains in place. Although eolian sediment transport is common in the Slims River Valley, high saltation–creep flow rates and major dust storms appear to be associated with a distinct set of atmospheric conditions, which are best developed on warm clear days following periods of heavy or extended rainfall.