Bed-material transport estimated from channel morphodynamics: Chilliwack River, British Columbia

Abstract

This study investigates the relation between channel changes, as mapped from aerial photography, and bed-material transport along Chilliwack River, British Columbia. Detailed mapping of channel features was completed for five dates between 1952 and 1991 using an analytical stereoplotter. Data were transferred to a geographic information system (GIS) to analyse changes during four consecutive periods. Erosion and deposition volumes along channel reaches were estimated by multiplying measured areal changes by the bed-material depth along each reach. Bed-material transport rates are related to morphologic changes using a sediment budget approach. The highest rate of transport for the four study periods is estimated as 55 000 ± 10 000 m3 a−1 between 1983 and 1991. These rates are compared with estimates from short-term (1–2 year) changes along the lower reach to investigate variations in sediment flux that may otherwise remain undetected. Significant morphologic change occurs roughly once every 5 years when flows are large enough to erode and entrain large volumes of bed material stored within the contemporary floodplain. In the absence of large floods, transport rates decline and vegetation begins to establish new floodplain. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.