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american samoa - University of Hawaii at Manoa Botany Department

american samoa - University of Hawaii at Manoa Botany Department

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Chapter TenASILI STREAMLOCATIONAsili Stream is loc<strong>at</strong>ed along the southwest coast <strong>of</strong> the Island <strong>of</strong> Tutuila (Figure 10-1). Thestream segment investig<strong>at</strong>ed for this study extends from the Asili Stream mouth to about 1,000feet upstream <strong>of</strong> the shoreline (Figure 10-2).STREAM HYDROLOGYSources <strong>of</strong> Surface Run<strong>of</strong>fThe Asili Stream drainage carries surface run<strong>of</strong>f from the south and southwest slopes <strong>of</strong> acentral pl<strong>at</strong>eau in west Tutuila th<strong>at</strong> is situ<strong>at</strong>ed west <strong>of</strong> Aoloaufou. This central pl<strong>at</strong>eau issitu<strong>at</strong>ed <strong>at</strong> about the 1,200-foot elev<strong>at</strong>ion.Seven tributaries contribute run<strong>of</strong>f to the main stem <strong>of</strong> Asili Stream between the 180-foot and800-foot elev<strong>at</strong>ion. Downstream <strong>of</strong> these confluences, the main stem <strong>of</strong> the stream continuesdownslope, through Asili Village, to the adjoining shoreline.General Stream CharacteristicsStream cross-sections documented by PPC in November 1999 indic<strong>at</strong>e th<strong>at</strong> the width <strong>of</strong> thestream segment (between east and west stream banks) ranges between 17 and 43 feet (Figure10-2). The depth <strong>of</strong> the stream channel (between the top <strong>of</strong> bank to the bottom <strong>of</strong> the streambed) is between 2.0 and 7.5-feet along the east side <strong>of</strong> the stream. Along the west side <strong>of</strong> thestream, the depth <strong>of</strong> the stream channel ranges between 2 and 10 feet below the stream bank.The stream channel bed is composed <strong>of</strong> exposed basalt and larger boulders, smaller rockcobble, sand, and decomposed organic m<strong>at</strong>erial. Rock and solid waste m<strong>at</strong>erial are found <strong>at</strong>various points within the streambed, as well as along the banks <strong>of</strong> the stream. A sandystreambed is evident between the stream mouth and the Route 1 bridge.In November 1999, general stream channel characteristics exhibited signs <strong>of</strong> former streamdischarges th<strong>at</strong> contained significant stream volume and velocity. Immedi<strong>at</strong>ely above thevillage, residents informed PPC represent<strong>at</strong>ives th<strong>at</strong> they have observed the flooding <strong>of</strong> themost upstream residential property along the west side <strong>of</strong> the stream. A survey <strong>of</strong> the streamchannel upstream <strong>of</strong> this property by PPC suggests th<strong>at</strong> flooding has probably been gener<strong>at</strong>edby larger basaltic boulders th<strong>at</strong> have apparently been carried into the main stem <strong>of</strong> the streamduring more recent stormw<strong>at</strong>er events. A small “island” <strong>of</strong> land area appeared to have recentlyformed along the west bank <strong>of</strong> the stream. The presence <strong>of</strong> larger boulders upstream may havemodified the former p<strong>at</strong>h <strong>of</strong> stream flow. With the change in stream flow p<strong>at</strong>h, storm flowsgradually bisected a portion <strong>of</strong> the west stream bank. Consequently, future stormw<strong>at</strong>er flowsmay soon thre<strong>at</strong>en the most upstream residence in Asili Village.American Samoa Wetlands/Streams Restor<strong>at</strong>ion and Enhancement PlanFebruary 2001, Asili Stream, Page 10-1

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