River Morphology and Thresholds
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 111, Issue 3
Abstract
The regime geometry and channel patterns of alluvial rivers are analyzed Wing an energy approach together with physical relationships of flow continuity, flow resistance, and sediment transport. Because of the discontinuity in flow resistance, and thus in power expenditure, between lower and upper flow regimes, the adjustment in river regime consists of sudden changes in channel geometry, channel pattern, and sometimes silt‐clay content, when such a discontinuity is crossed. Thresholds or discontinuities in river morphology are obtained in the analysis. In accordance with such thresholds, rivers of distinct morphological features are classified into four regions based upon the bankfull discharge, channel slope, and median size of bed sediment. Their respective features are described, and certain regime relationships for channel width and depth are established. The predicted channel geometries are compared with river data.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 111 • Issue 3 • March 1985
Pages: 503 - 519
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 ASCE.
History
Published online: Mar 1, 1985
Published in print: Mar 1985
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