Bed‐material transport estimated from channel surveys: Vedder River, British Columbia

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigates the possibility to estimate bed‐material transfer in gravel‐bed rivers by analysis of morphological changes along Vedder River, British Columbia. Data from repeated cross‐section surveys are used to estimate volume changes along the length of an 8 km reach. Gravel budgets are based on a continuity approach. An error analysis is performed to evaluate the uncertainty in the best estimate of transport rates. The mean annual gravel transport into the reach over a 9 year period was estimated to be 36600 ± 5600 m3 yr−1. The sediment transport regime along the length of the river is evaluated and examined in relation to peak flood flows. Significant spatial and temporal variability in transport rates is demonstrated, making dubious the generalization of transport estimates from hydraulic calculations, or from sample measurements at a single cross‐section. The assumptions, procedures and limitations of the ‘morphological approach’ to sediment transport analysis are discussed. It is concluded that this approach provides information of quality comparable or superior to that of direct measurements of transport, yet requires less field effort. It also provides additional information about river morphological changes, making it a preferred method for geomorphlogical investigations and for many river management concerns.