Sediment Load Characteristics in South Korean Rivers and Assessment of Sediment Transport Formulas

Abstract

In this study, using the modified Einstein procedure, data on sediment load were systematically collected and analyzed by year, period, watershed, and main stream and tributaries in South Korean rivers. It was found that the sediment load and concentration differ significantly depending on the region, even in the same area and at the same time, especially in areas with a large minimum-maximum discharge ratio. Therefore, the application of the relationship between discharge and sediment load across all time and space needs to be precise, and data have to be selected separately according to the relational application conditions. In addition, existing sediment transport formulas were compared by applying various goodness-of-fit methods that were well suited to the measured dataset. The results showed that the optimal sediment transport formula varied according to the goodness-of-fit method. Furthermore, while the Ackers and White approach was found to be generally suitable; however, the correlation figures alone were not conclusive. Therefore, a quantitative determination must be made as to how the application of simple fitness methods affects the selection of optimal sediment transport formulas.