INTER-RELATIONS BETWEEN JET BEHAVIOR AND HYDRAULIC PROCESSES OBSERVED AT DELTAIC RIVER MOUTHS AND TIDAL INLETS

Charles G Bates,John C Freeman, Jr

doi:10.9753/icce.v3.12

Charles G Bates, John C Freeman, Jr

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.9753/icce.v3.12

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Abstract

Price (1951) has stated: "(in) geological oceanography as practiced today there is constant emphasis on quantitative measurement and quantitative theoretical development." As a demonstration of this geophysical approach to geological problems the authors have studied the theory of processes involved when sediment-laden water flows into a currentless, tideless, wave-free basin. The theoretical concepts developed have then been tested against the actual occurrences in nature. The result is that it is possible to propose a comprehensive theory of delta formation which may explain many of the features observed near mouths of rivers. According to this theory, there are three distinct and basic types of river inflow into a still basin, as shown in Figure 1:

Highlights

The result is that it is possible to propose a comprehensive theory of delta formation which may explain many of the features observed near mouths of rivers
"Homopycnal" inflow- tinder appreciable hydraulic head
A typical velocity pattern is shown in Figure 2 based on the plane jet theory. The boundary of this jet is based on the parabolic margin of flow issuing from South Pass of the Mississippi River on October 14., 194-0, during very low river stage when hydraulic head effects are at a minimum

Summary

AND TIDAL INLETS*

The result is that it is possible to propose a comprehensive theory of delta formation which may explain many of the features observed near mouths of rivers. (Result -is that a vertical frontal boundary forms between river and basin water and slowly spreads radially from the orifice, thereby causing an extremely rapid decrease in issuing velocity and the deposition of most of the sedimentary load within a distance of one diameter from the orifice. This depositional pattern results in the classical delta of geological textbooks with its well developed.

Moderate Sediment Supply

NORTHEAST PASS