Braiding Intensity Research Articles

Evolution and morphodynamics of the large braided river Brahmaputra during the last four decades of the Quaternary epoch: a spatio-temporal assessment using geoinformatics

ABSTRACT Spatio-temporal assessment of the evolution and morphodynamics of the Brahmaputra River (BR) can contribute significantly in mitigating challenges offered by rapid urbanisation and climate change. The present remote sensing and geographic information system (RS and GIS) based analysis of the BR revealed an increased Braiding Intensity (BI) from 1976 to 2000, which declined in 2010, and re-emerged in 2020. The average maximum width of the river has generally widened over time and sandbar distribution has exhibited fluctuations. The overall active channel area increased by 1.5 times, and the sandbar area expanded by 1.2 times between 1976 and 2020. The interplay between braiding intensity and width reveals a positive relationship. The sandbar-water ratio reveals a significant prevalence of sandbars in the Brahmaputra River. Furthermore, the study highlights changes in the Bar Development Index (BDI), showing a significant increase in micro-bars and meso-bars but a decrease in macro-bars. With the approach of change detection, key factors observed within the river driving the changes are erosion, channel bifurcations, sandbar formation due to sediment deposition, and sandbar loss due to shifts in channel course. These characteristics are potentially influenced by high water and sediment influx, climate change, and anthropological activities.

Response of submarine braided channels to varying inflow hydrographs: Geomorphic experiments and stratigraphic implications

AbstractSubmarine channels on the seafloor experience a range of turbidity current‐flood hydrographs. The characteristics of the flood hydrograph influence channel dimensions, the number of channel threads (i.e. braiding intensity) and the depositional properties of sandbars within the channels. However, the morphodynamic response of submarine braided channels to different hydrograph patterns is poorly understood. In this study, six geomorphic experiments are used to test how varied flood hydrographs affect the braiding intensity and sandbar geometry within submarine channels. Three experiments represent the control group with constant density‐current inflow, and three experiments use different time‐varying hydrograph patterns. The experiments show that, as the inflow‐to‐sediment discharge ratio increases, multiple small channels coalesce into a few main channels, causing a decrease in active braiding intensity defined by the channel threads with flow. When the flow returns to the initial low flow rate, active braiding intensity increases again. These observations show that the inflow‐to‐sediment discharge ratio determines the value of active braiding intensity. Additionally, active braiding intensity is directly proportional to dimensionless sediment‐stream power and dimensionless stream power, in agreement with previously established trends for both submarine and fluvial braided channels. In contrast to active braiding intensity changes, the measured sandbar aspect ratio and compactness ratio (i.e. ratio of planform area to perimeter) of submarine braided channels is insensitive to changes in the hydrograph. However, when inflows reach peak discharge, the higher transport capacity erodes pre‐existing deposits, forming noticeable erosional surfaces, and subsequently depositing thicker sandbars during that stage. These observations imply that sandbar planform morphology is largely insensitive to hydrograph, but hydrograph variability induces a greater variability in the resultant stratigraphic packages. The experimental results predict that field‐scale stratigraphy should be dominated by strata deposited during intervals of high flow, but that these strata will also exhibit reduced lateral continuity compared to formation scenarios with constant discharge.

Rates of Evacuation of Bedload Sediment From an Alpine Glacier Control Proglacial Stream Morphodynamics

AbstractProglacial forefields commonly include highly dynamic fluvial systems associated with the fundamental instability between topography, flow hydraulics and sediment transport. However, there is limited knowledge of how these systems respond to changing subglacial hydrology and sediment supply. We investigated this relationship using the first continuous field‐collected data sets for both suspended and bedload sediment export and proglacial river dynamics for an Alpine glacier forefield, the Glacier d’Otemma, Switzerland. The results show a strong sensitivity of fluvial morphodynamics to the balance between sediment transport capacity and supply. When subglacial bedload export rates exceeded fluvial transport capacity, we found bar construction leading to net forefield aggradation and surficial coarsening, especially on bar heads. This intensified braiding buffered the downstream transport of coarse sediment. When subglacial bedload export rates were lower than transport capacity, incision occurred, with reduced braiding intensity, net erosion and important amounts of bedload leaving the proglacial system. We found a net fining of surficial deposits except for very isolated coarsening patterns on bar heads. Thus, proglacial forefield morphodynamics are strongly conditioned by subglacial hydrology and sediment supply, but this conditioning is also influenced by the response of the forefield itself. Proglacial forefields have an important influence on the longitudinal connectivity of sediment flux in regions sensitive to climate change, such as recently deglaciated high mountain areas. The linkages we report between subglacial processes and river morphodynamics are critical for understanding the development of embryonic forefield ecosystems.

The Fate of Bars in Braided Rivers

Ancient river deposits are important archives of past landscape conditions on planetary surfaces. On Earth, they host valuable groundwater, energy resources, and carbon-storage potential. Reconstructing details of paleochannel forms and movements refines our understanding of the controls on river behavior under different climate, landcover, and tectonic conditions, and improves predictions and models of subsurface reservoirs. While studies have shown detailed connections between channel kinematics and bar-deposit architecture in meandering river systems, similar connections between braided river movements and preserved braided river deposits have not been established. Here we explore the potential for connecting braided river deposits to paleochannel movements, form, and flow conditions, and we evaluate the controls on bar preservation using synthetic stratigraphy generated with a numerical morphodynamic model. We investigate how attributes of channel morphodynamics, like channel widening or braiding intensity, impact bar deposits’ preservation, scale, geometry, and architecture. We then assess how the scale, preservation, and facies composition of bar deposits reflect formative flow conditions of the channel. Our results demonstrate that no diagnostic signature of braided channel morphodynamics is recorded in bar-deposit geometry, facies, or preservation patterns. Rather, the unique local history of thread movements combines stochastically to preserve or rework bar deposits, and the timing of channel avulsion is the dominant control on bar preservation. Our results also show that representative paleochannel flow conditions will likely be accurately reflected in aggregate observations of braid bar deposits within channel-belt sandbodies at a regional or member/formation scale. These results demonstrate the need for broad sampling and statistical approaches to subsurface prediction and paleo-flow reconstruction in ancient, braided river deposits.

A new braiding index to assess river regulation effects in multi‐thread channels: Insights from a highly regulated Himalayan river

AbstractRiver regulation by dams and embankments drastically reduce/alter flow, which affects the natural channel pattern. Existing braiding indices have seldom incorporated the effects of diurnal flow variations caused by hydropeaking, leading to over/underestimation of the braiding intensity. These indices consider only the visible wet channels, ignoring the existence of dry channels that are activated only episodically during phases of water release from hydropower dams. We have extracted the dry channels (those that are periodically wet) coursing across the channel belt of the highly regulated River Tista from Landsat images between 1977 and 2014, using Normalized Difference Wetness Index values. These were combined with existing wet channel widths and numbers to formulate the Regulated Braiding Index (RBi) for characterizing channel braiding in the Tista's course over the Himalayan foothill plains. Overall, the widths and numbers of wet channels decreased by 63% and 25%, respectively, during the regulated years (2003 and 2014) as compared to pre‐dam years (1977 and 1995) due to the collective operation of 14 upstream dams/barrages (having cumulative ~89 million m3 reservoir capacity), whose operations reduced the braiding intensity (eliciting lower RBi values). Further, the number of high braiding reaches decreased by half while low braiding stretches rose by 10% in comparison to the pre‐dam period due to reduced/regulated flow. Comparative analysis of derived RBi values with three existing braiding indices revealed that RBi values consistently decreased near barrages, bridges, and within embankment‐confined reaches, unlike the other indices, thus providing a better framework for assessing expected river regulation effects.

Confinement width and inflow-to-sediment discharge ratio control the morphology and braiding intensity of submarine channels: insights from physical experiments and reduced-complexity models

Abstract. Submarine channels conveying sediment gravity flows are often topographically confined, but the effect of confinement width on channel morphodynamics is incompletely understood. We use physical experiments and a reduced-complexity model to investigate the effects of confinement width (B) and the inflow-to-sediment discharge ratio (Qin/Qs) on the evolution of submarine braided channels. The results show that a larger confinement width results in increased active braiding intensity (BIA) and that BIA takes longer to stabilize (i.e., a longer critical time; tc). At a fixed confinement width, a higher Qin/Qs slightly decreases the BIA. Digital elevation models of difference (DoD) of the experiments allow measurement of the morphological active width (Wa) of the submarine channels and the bulk morphological change (Vbulk) within an experiment, defined as the sum of total erosion and deposition. We find that Wa and Vbulk are proportional to B. We further confirm that BIA is proportional to both dimensionless sediment–stream power (ω**) and dimensionless stream power (ω*). These trends are consistent for submarine braided channels both with and without confinement width effects. Furthermore, we built a reduced-complexity model (RCM) that can simulate flow bifurcation and confluence of submarine braided channels. The simulated flow distribution provides reliable predictions of flow depth and sediment transport rate in the experiments. Using kernel density estimation (KDE) to forecast the probability and trends of cross-sectional flow distribution and corresponding BIA under extreme events, we find that skewness of the flow distribution decreases as discharge increases. The development of braided submarine channels, shown here to extend to conditions of topographic confinement, suggests that factors not modeled here (e.g., fine sediment) may be necessary to explain the abundance of single-thread submarine channels in nature.

Characterizing the trend of channel braiding of a tropical transboundary river using spatial growth component analysis and ARIMA model

Channel braiding is one of the fundamental fluvial processes in the context of sediment-energy nexus. The present study intends to simulate the channel braiding pattern of a tropical river (Jaldhaka River) on the Himalayan foreland plains. The grain size of the bed material in the Jaldhaka River decreases with distance from the mountain front, as does the surface gradient from the piedmont plains to the northern alluvial plains accompanied by the development of alluvial fans. Such assemblage results in multiple facets of hydro-geomorphic controls on channel planform dynamicity. This study is one of the pioneering attempts to characterize the spatial and temporal trend of channel braiding in any river running through the foreland region of the Sikkim-Bhutan Himalayas. The type of channel braiding is determined by the three indices – (1) Braiding Index (BI*), (2) Channel Count Index (BI), and (3) Channel Length Index (Pt), in cases where no gradual and uniform trend of development has been seen.The spatial allometric growth of the channel braiding and time series association using the ARIMA model was examined on the twenty stretches of the river. The results depict nonuniformity in planform development with distance downstream during a 30-year time span (1990–2020). The nature of the planform value distribution concerning all three applied indices has projected a polynomial trend where certain intermediate channel segments break the general trend of the braiding intensity with downstream distance. Since the downstream braiding intensity of the Jaldhaka River hasn't decreased either linearly or exponentially, we were unable to find any significant relationship of it with surface gradient. The nature and association of the channel braiding of the Jaldhaka River point towards the influence of local controls (e.g. river terracing on the upper part and faultline controls in the middle part) on channel planform dynamicity. The prediction of channel braiding for 2030 and 2050 coupled with the model fitted with RMSE, and BIC bears great significance in revealing the future bar growth which may be useful for the different planners and stakeholders concerned with the river basin development.

Assessing functional characteristics of a braided river in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Functional characteristics of braided rivers with very high elevations (>3400 m) located in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China provide unique insight into fully understanding global braided river functioning, but have not yet been explored because of their remote locations and harsh physiographic conditions. In this study, we unveiled these characteristics at the reach spatial scale over three decades in one of these braided rivers, the Upper Lancang River (ULR). Using Google Earth Engine resources and a specific selection of Landsat images obtained between 1989 and 2018 during the dry season (November to early May when water levels were low and comparable over years), we analyzed water area, extracted flowing and non-flowing channels, active channel widths (unvegetated bars and water channels), and calculated lateral shifting rates of the main channel for 13 sub-periods. We also developed an empirical method for estimating vegetated areas in the selected years. We found that (1) this braided system is partly controlled by peak flows and flood durations and the braiding activity evolved through time according to braided planform characteristics, (2) braiding intensity is high during low discharges, suggesting that the ULR is a very well-connected braided system with groundwater, but we observed higher braiding activity in spring than in fall, suggesting other factors than groundwater recharge also control non-flowing channel occurrence, and (3) the ULR supports a vegetation mosaic that is dynamic at a multi-year scale with period of declines that can be caused by scouring and rapid growth in an optimal recruitment window. These findings lead to our interpretation of vegetation behavior and surficial water – groundwater interactions, which needs future field validation.

Spatio-temporal study of morpho-dynamics of the Brahmaputra River along its Majuli Island reach

The River Brahmaputra is one of the largest rivers, ranking seventh in terms of mean annual discharge (19, 800 m3s-1). The river has a multi-channel, braided/anastomosed planform that changes frequently and exhibits rapid transformations in channel morphology. This research was set in the context of the River Brahmaputra near Majuli Island, Assam, India. Morphologically, this part of the river is very volatile; increased braiding intensity of the river is believed by many to be responsible for severe erosion in the southern part of Majuli Island. In 2016, Newton-Bhaba funding facilitated the authors to study the existing braid parameters for developing new ones to quantitatively define changes in the braided channel. The authors then employed these new parameters to evaluate historical and current trends of morpho-dynamic changes in the Brahmaputra River along Majuli Island. Our quantitative analysis establishes on a rational foundation the extent to which braiding intensity has increased. Trends in our new parameters indicate that the frequencies with which braid bars form, deform and erode are increasing, accelerating the rate at which channel morphology evolves near Majuli Island. Alarmingly, our analysis brings out that the deepest channel of the Brahmaputra (i.e., ‘thalweg’) is moving northwards – bringing it ever closer to Majuli Island. Engineered structures were constructed in 2004 to provide protection to the southern bank of Majuli Island and its flood embankments from erosion. To scientifically establish the effect of these river training measures on braiding forms and processes, we applied our newly developed braid indexes to the study reach before and after 2004. We could find that river channel braiding was relatively less intense, and the river was less unstable prior to 2004. However, following the construction of bank protection and river training works at Majuli Island in 2004, braiding intensity registered a sharp increase and the river waterway widened. Also, the deepest sub-channel started to migrate northwards, and through time it has become deeply entrenched along the southern bank line of Majuli Island around Ahatguri posing a major streambank erosion threat to it.

Impacts of dams and land-use changes on hydromorphology of braided channels in the Lhasa River of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Among braided rivers developed on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China at very high elevations (>3,500 m), the middle and lower reaches of the Lhasa River have been affected by comprehensive human activities mainly involving dam construction, urbanization, farming, afforestation, and mining. In the current study, the impacts of these human activities on hydrology and morphology of the four braided reaches downstream of a cascaded of two dams are investigated. The study period was divided into 1985–2006 (P1), 2006–2013 (P2), and 2013–2019 (P3), representing the natural and changed flow regimes by dams. Using available daily discharge data at two stations within the four braided reaches, dam-induced hydrological alteration was analyzed based on the indicators of hydrologic alteration and range of variability approach and key discharge proxies were calculated. Remotely sensed images also were selected in the three periods and morphological metrics extracted from them were compared for the four reaches among these periods. Attenuated hydrological regimes were found for only two reaches. The total channel width (Wc) and braiding intensity (BIt) followed different temporal trends among the four reaches. Annual average shift rates of the main channel in the four reaches were higher in the short (P2–P3) than in the long (P1–P2 and P1–P3) periods. The longitudinal changes of Wc and the number of channels did not have any identifiable trend among the four reaches. By linking the morphological changes to quantified spatial and temporal patterns of various human activities, it was found that (1) the two dams had insignificant impact on channel morphology, suggesting that the studied braided river might have a short relaxation time and (2) the evolutional trajectories of morphological changes in most of the four reaches were similar, suggesting that temporal trends of morphological changes due to complex human activities are not affected by the different physiographic settings of the reaches. Continuous exploitation of the valley area requires comprehensive river management strategies for coordinating various human activities.

3D numerical modelling of braided channel formation

A numerical model was used to compute the formation of a braided channel system. The model calculated the water flow field from the fully 3D Navier-Stokes equations on a non-orthogonal unstructured adaptive grid. The sediment transport was computed from the Engelund-Hansen formula. A free surface algorithm based on local pressure gradients was used. The model was applied to an idealized geometry of an initially straight alluvial channel, where the evolution of the braided channel system over time was computed. The complex processes and geometry for this case made it very well suited for testing the numerical model. The purpose of the study was also to explain avulsion processes of a braided river in more detail. Figures are presented with water depth, velocity, water level and secondary currents during an avulsion. The effect of the water level changes and the secondary currents are shown. The geometry, sediment size and water discharge used in the numerical model was identical to a laboratory study. Reasonable agreement was found when comparing the active braiding intensity (BIA) computed by the numerical model with measurements from the flume experiment. Parameter tests include sediment transport formula, grid size, secondary current damping and grid parameters related to wetting/drying. The results using the Engelund-Hansen formula show a higher degree of braiding than the van Rijn or Mayer-Peter Müller formula. The secondary current strength is also shown to be very important for the braiding process and the BIA values.

Assessment of relationship of braiding intensities with stream power and bank erosion rate through Plan Form Index (PFI) method: a study on selected reaches of the upstream of Ganga river near Malda district, West Bengal, India

River bank erosion is a hazardous and common phenomenon in diara region near Malda district of North East India during monsoon and post monsoon periods of every year. The left bank of Ganga river is texturally very weak along diara region of Malda district. The present work explores relations between stream power, braiding intensities and bank erosion in certain stretches of upstream of the Ganga river near Malda district of West Bengal in India. In the present study, we have tried to do a quantitative assessment of channel braiding process of the Ganga river by applying the Plan Form approach and equivalent measurement of stream power. A comparative study of discrete years has been done through braiding index to understand morphological behaviour of the channel. Beside its stream power of the selected stretches of the study area is estimated and compared with braiding intensity and bank erosion. This paper presents the dynamic behaviour of the channel pattern of the Ganga river system in Malda district over a time span of 40 years. This procedure addresses the selection of input parameters from digital satellite images comprising scenes for the years 1975, 1995 and 2015 with specific dates, from Rajmahal in Jharkhand district to Farakka barrage in Malda district. To obtain Plan Form Indices for the entire study area, required parameters were extracting through using GIS techniques. Stream power is measured through analyzing latest flood records and satellite images. The present study concluded that a wide spread and continuous braiding process has occurred in the study area due to aggradations of riverbed and temporal declination of stream power.

Assessment of the geomorphic effectiveness of controlled floods in a braided river using a reduced-complexity numerical model

Abstract. Most Alpine rivers have undergone significant alterations in flow and sediment regimes. These alterations have notable effects on river morphology and ecology. One option to mitigate such effects is flow regime management, specifically through the reintroduction of channel-forming discharges. The aim of this work is to assess the morphological changes induced in the Piave River (Italy) by two distinct controlled-flood strategies, the first characterized by a single artificial flood per year and the second by higher-magnitude but less frequent floods. This work involved applying a two-dimensional reduced-complexity morphodynamic model (CAESAR-LISFLOOD) to a 7 km long reach, characterized by a braided pattern and highly regulated discharges. Numerical modelling allowed the assessment of morphological changes for four long-term scenarios (2009–2034). The scenarios were defined considering the current flow regime and the natural regime, which was estimated by a stochastic physically based hydrologic model. Changes in channel morphology were assessed by measuring active-channel width and braiding intensity. A comparison of controlled-flood scenarios to a baseline scenario (i.e. no controlled floods) showed that artificial floods had little effect on channel morphology. More channel widening (13.5 %) resulted from the high-magnitude flood strategy than from the application of the other strategy (8.6 %). Negligible change was observed in terms of braiding intensity. The results indicate that controlled floods do not represent an effective solution for morphological recovery in braided rivers with strongly impacted flow and sediment regimes.

A Study on Variation in Channel Width and Braiding Intensity of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India

The Brahmaputra River flows through Assam, India, for about 670 km along an alluvial valley as a wide braided river. The width of the river varies with time along its course. The braiding intensity of this river is estimated using the braiding index (BI) of Brice (1964), which also changes with space and time along the course of the river. Temporal changes of both width and BI have been studied using topographic maps of 1912–1928 and 1963–1975, and dry season satellite data of 1996, 2000, 2007 and 2009. The mean widths of the Brahmaputra River channel in Assam during 1912–1928, 1963–1975, 1996, 2000, 2007 and 2009 were 5949 m, 7455 m, 7505 m, 8008 m, 8308 m and 9012 m, respectively, confirming an overall increase in width with time. Both the width and variation of width are lowest in four short narrower segments of the river. Three of these segments represent hard points comprising gneissic rock, and one segment is on alluvium comprising cohesive clay. The increase in width is correlated to enormous sediment load produced by the great Assam earthquake of 1950 and large-scale deforestation in the Himalayas. The mean BIs for the Brahmaputra for 1963–1975, 1996, 2000, 2007 and 2009 were 8.59, 8.43, 6.67, 6.58 and 7.70, respectively, indicating in general a decreasing trend up to 2007. The BI showed low variation at the four narrow segments where there is also a minimum variation of the channel width. The BI has increased significantly in the upstream part of the river. Very high fluctuation of discharge (17,000 m 3 / s − 1 in 24 h) and high sediment loads of the Brahmaputra (daily mean sediment discharge of 2.0 million tonnes during monsoon), erodible alluvial banks and high width/depth ratios are the main causes of development of braiding. The interrelationship between channel width and BI of the Brahmaputra shows a positive correlation, indicating an increase in BI with increasing channel width.

Living landscapes: Muddy and vegetated floodplain effects on fluvial pattern in an incised river.

Cohesive floodplain sediment and vegetation are both thought to cause meandering river patterns. Our aims are to compare the isolated and combined effects of mud and vegetation on river planform and morphodynamics in the setting of intermediate‐sized valley rivers. We use a numerical model for century‐scale simulation of flow, sediment transport and morphology coupled with riparian vegetation settlement, growth and mortality as functions of species traits on which flow resistance depends. Mud fluxes were predicted by excess shear stress relations in combination with the active layer formulation. We found that valley‐flooding water levels increase with vegetation density, causing a higher braiding intensity rather than meandering tendency. The shear stress during floods carves channels through the muddy floodplain surface. Higher mud concentration, on the other hand, increases floodplain aggradation, reduces the overbank flow frequency and ultimately causes formation of a single‐thread channel. Vegetation causes mud to deposit closer to the river channel as a levee, showing that mud sedimentation and vegetation settling mutually enhance floodplain formation. However, mud and vegetation counteract in two ways. First, vegetation enhances floodplain accretion, which ultimately increases plant desiccation for high mud concentrations. Second, vegetation increases the tendency of periodic chute cutoffs in valleys. The chute cutoffs locally reset the landscape and create new windows of opportunity for the vegetation. Surprisingly, in systems with a high mud concentration this causes hysteretic loops of vegetation cover and delayed mud deposition. Ramifications for the interpretation of Palaeozoic fluvial facies are that even rootless vegetation, capturing cohesive mud closer to the river channel to form thicker floodplain on the point bar, can enhance the tendency to meander and, under high mud supply, form stable channels. However, meandering is more unlikely in narrower valley rivers with higher vegetation density. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The variability in the morphological active width: Results from physical models of gravel‐bed braided rivers

AbstractThe morphological active width, defined as the lateral extent of bed material displacement over time, is a fundamental parameter in multi‐threaded gravel‐bed rivers, linking complex channel dynamics to bedload transport. Here, results are presented from five constant discharge experiments, and three event hydrographs, covering a range of flow strengths and channel configurations for which morphological change, bedload transport rates, and stream power were measured in a physical model. Changes in channel morphology were determined via differencing of photogrammetrically‐derived digital elevation models (DEMs) of the model surface generated at regular intervals over the course of ~115 h of experimental runs. Independent measures of total bedload output were made using downstream sediment baskets. Results indicate that the morphological active width increases with total and dimensionless stream power and is strongly and positively correlated with bulk change (total volume of bed material displaced over time) and active braiding intensity (ABI). Although there is considerable scatter due to the inherent variability in braided river morphodynamics, the active width is positively correlated with independent measurements of bedload transport rate. Active width, bulk change, and bedload transport rates were all negligible below a dimensionless stream power threshold value of ~ 0.09, above which all increase with flow strength. Therefore, the active width could be used as a general predictor of bulk change and bedload transport rates, which in turn could be approximated from total and dimensionless stream power or ABI in gravel‐bed braided rivers. Furthermore, results highlight the importance of the active width, rather than the morphological active depth, in predicting volumes of change and bedload transport rates. The results contribute to the larger goals of better understanding braided river morphodynamics, creating large high‐resolution datasets of channel change for model calibration and validation, and developing morphological methods for predicting bedload transport rates in braiding river systems. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Responses of the braided channel to reduced discharge and lateral inputs of aeolian sand in the Ulan Buh Desert Reach of the Upper Yellow River

The UlanBuh Desert reach belongs to the upper reaches of the Yellow River located in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (China), which has developed a sandy bed. This reach that flows across aeolian dunes field of the UlanBuh Desert has caused large lateral infusion of aeolian sands into riverbed, an abrupt addition of the bedload and a sharp channel widening, forming a typical braided channel. In addition to traditional driving factors such as discharge, suspended sediments and slope, here we also focus on the lateral infusion of aeolian sands into the Yellow River, which may have a significant impact on channel form. To further recognize the desert braided channel change, here based on a long-time series of field dataset from 1966 to 2013, results show that lateral infusion of aeolian sand is the same as discharge as a significant factor to channel form, which is mainly controlled by aeolian activity and discharge conditions. Before the early-1990s, higher discharge and greater intensity of aeolian activity caused a frequent lateral movement and large lateral inputs of aeolian sands into river; this reach showed an unsteady and wider braided channel with a higher braiding intensity. From the early-1990s to 2013, a reduced discharge that caused a decreasing lateral movement, coupled with the decreasing aeolian activity, have resulted in the main flow of the Yellow River far away from sand dunes, which led to a reduction in lateral inputs of aeolian sands. Thus, the braided channel of the UlanBuh Desert reach presented a shrinkage state, gradually changing from a wider and unsteady braided channel to a narrower and relative steady channel form.

Response of braiding channel morphodynamics to peak discharge changes in the Upper Yellow River

AbstractThe braiding intensity and dynamics in large braiding rivers are well known to depend on peak discharges, but the response in braiding and channel–floodplain transformations to changes in discharge regime are poorly known. This modelling study addresses the morphodynamic effects of increasing annual peak discharges in braiding rivers. The study site is a braiding reach of the Upper Yellow River. We estimated the effects on the larger‐scale channel pattern, and on the smaller‐scale bars, channel branches and floodplains. Furthermore, we determined the sensitivity of the channel pattern to model input parameters. The results showed that the dominant effect of a higher peak discharge is the development of chute channels on the floodplains, formed by connecting head‐cut channels and avulsive channels. Widening of the main channel by bank erosion was found to be less dominant. In addition, sedimentation on the bars and floodplains increased with increasing peak discharge. The model results also showed that the modelled channel pattern is especially sensitive to parametrization of the bed slope effect, whereas the effect of median grain size was found to be relatively small. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Digital Modeling of Bar (Char) Incidence and Assessment of Braiding Intensity of the Padma River in Bangladesh

This study has prepared bar (char) incidence map and assessed braided intensity of the Padma River in Bangladesh. GIS techniques have integrated the spatial data (satellite images) and attribute data to identify the char’s location and assess the braiding intensity on the Padma riverbed. According to the bar prepared maps chars have been developed in the reaches in the south of Harirampur, northeast of Faridpur district and upstream of the Padma Bridge crossing. But chars had never existed at the downstream of Paturia and close to the left bank at Mawa. The young chars with ages below eight years are 48%. The longstanding chars between 8-20 years are almost the same (43%) in the char incidence map. But the very long duration chars appeared only 9% on the river bed. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the braiding intensity of the Padma River was 1.63 and 1.75 which is very close to each other. During 1976 to 1984, the braiding intensity dropped to a minimum, the range of which varied from 1.38 to 1.50. The braiding intensity started to rise very rapidly from the early 1990s and reached its peak value of 2.13 in 1997. The sediment input also cause changes in bed level, width and braiding intensity of the river.

Simulating Laboratory Braided Rivers with Bed-Load Sediment Transport

Numerical models provide considerable assistance in the investigation of complicated processes in natural rivers. In the present study, a physics-based two-dimensional model has been developed to simulate the braiding processes and morphodynamic changes in braided rivers. The model applies the basic hydrodynamic and sediment transport principles with bed morphology deformation and a TVD (Total Variation Diminishing) scheme to predict trans-critical flows and bed morphology deformation. The non-equilibrium transport process of graded bed load sediment is simulated, with non-uniform sediments, secondary flows, and sheltering effects being included. A multiple bed layer technique is adopted to represent the vertical sediment sorting process. The model has been applied to simulate the bed evolution process in an experimental river with bed load transport. Comparisons between the experimental river and predicted river are analysed, including their pattern evolution processes, important braiding phenomena, and statistical characteristics. Avulsion activities have been found in the braiding evolution process, representing the primary ways in which channels form and disappear in braided rivers. The increases in the active braiding intensity and total braiding intensity show similar trends to those observed in the experimental river. Statistical methods are applied to assess the scale-invariant topographic properties of the simulated river and real rivers. The model demonstrated its potential to predict the morphodynamics in natural rivers.