Channel Geometry in the Riffle-Pool Sequence

Abstract

Hypotheses developed to explain meandering in river channels often demand excess energy to initiate bank erosion, which is usually assumed to occur in the location of a pool. Field observations of variations of channel geometry in riffle-pool sequences on the River Fowey, Cornwall, England indicate that equilibrium channels can, however, be wider at riffles because of bank erosion at these locations. Further- more, the varying flow geometry suggests that the minimum variance theory of meandering may require reassessment.