Where do floodplains begin? The role of total stream power and longitudinal profile form on floodplain initiation processes

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 2008 Where do floodplains begin? The role of total stream power and longitudinal profile form on floodplain initiation processes Vikrant Jain; Vikrant Jain 1Department of Physical Geography, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Kirstie Fryirs; Kirstie Fryirs 1Department of Physical Geography, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gary Brierley Gary Brierley 2School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Auckland, P.O. Box 92019, Auckland, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2008) 120 (1-2): 127–141. https://doi.org/10.1130/B26092.1 Article history received: 18 Aug 2006 rev-recd: 04 Jun 2007 accepted: 24 Jun 2007 first online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Vikrant Jain, Kirstie Fryirs, Gary Brierley; Where do floodplains begin? The role of total stream power and longitudinal profile form on floodplain initiation processes. GSA Bulletin 2008;; 120 (1-2): 127–141. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B26092.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Understanding downstream transitions in river character and behavior is a basic concept in fluvial geomorphology. Downstream patterns of depositional processes can be differentiated between channel and floodplain components. In this study a generic set of methods is used to analyze floodplain initiation and continuity in relation to downstream changes in total stream power (slope and discharge) and longitudinal profile form for river courses in the upper Hunter catchment, Australia. Absolute values of these controlling factors are shown to be poor indicators of threshold conditions at which floodplains begin to form along river courses. Catchment-scale patterns of stream power and the form of longitudinal profiles provide better predictors of this transitional zone. The total stream power plot derived along longitudinal profiles represented by a second-order exponential curve has a bimodal pattern. In most cases, floodplains begin to form in a transition zone characterized by a trough area within the bimodal stream power distribution. This bimodal stream power pattern provides a better means to identify this transition in depositional processes along longitudinal profiles than more conventional single peak stream power analyses based on first-order exponential longitudinal profiles. Indirect controls such as basin geology and accommodation space also influence the initiation and pattern of floodplains. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.