Flume study of the hydraulic effects of large woody debris in lowland rivers

Abstract

AbstractAs a part of a study investigating the hydraulic effects of large woody debris (LWD) in lowland rivers, a series of small‐scale experiments were conducted in a rectangular glass‐walled recirculating flume. These experiments were undertaken to determine the order of magnitude of the increase in flood levels caused by LWD at different positions within a channel cross‐section. Position variables that were considered in these experiments were height above bed, angle to flow direction, and separation distance in the direction of flow. This study was undertaken to quantify the hydraulic benefits (primarily reduced flood levels) gained by the removal of LWD from lowland rivers, which is a common practice in several countries. From an integrated river management perspective it is necessary to weigh any hydraulic benefits of LWD removal up against the environmental costs of loss of faunal habitat, and possible geomorphic instability.The results of these experiments indicate that the levels of LWD commonly occurring in the lowland rivers of southeastern Australia seldom cause any significant effect on flood levels. However, where LWD occur at channel constrictions, or where unusually high densities of LWD are present, the effect on flood levels will be significant.