Effects of Vegetation Density on Sediment Transport in Lateral Cavities

Abstract

In rivers and canals, lateral cavities are regions of low velocities and recirculation, which have ecological importance, such as sediment retention. The presence of vegetation in cavities has the potential to modify the flow and alter the retention of sediments inside the cavity. In this study, the impact of vegetation on hydrodynamics and sediment transport was investigated with a numerical model. The vegetation density was distributed from 0 to 10.65% in four cases. Sediment transport was investigated through the Rouse number, Hjulström, and Shields diagrams. The increase in vegetation density did not change the predominant sediment transport type. Furthermore, the increase in vegetation favoured the deposition of sediments in the lateral cavity.