The evolution of the Kolpashevskaya meaner of the Ob’ and ongoing hazardous manifestations of channel processes

Abstract

We examine the transformation of a gentle segmental to a meander loop with the result that the city, founded in the 17th century, found itself on the caving bank. Comparison of cartographic materials from different times showed the occurrence of secondary bends on elongated rectilinear wings. Not only did such an evolution of the meanders lead to the caving of the terraced urban bank, but also it involved a likely emergency situation on the underwater crossing of the pipeline, and on other engineering facilities. We ascertained the causes of the ongoing channel deformations; modeling data were used in developing recommendations on meander straightening in order to divert the river away from the city.