Experiments on the short-term development of sine-generated meandering rivers

This paper presents recent works on the simulation of short-term development of sine-generated meandering river in laboratory conditions. The influences of initial system parameters on the evolution process of rivers are investigated, including control over channel sinuousness, channel width and dominant discharge, eventually leading to different results of planforms. Measurements on the bank-line, flow field, bed topography and sediment transport rate were carried out. Braided rivers are easy to produce using non-cohesive sediments in floodplains, whereas environmental temperatures and humidities could influence the fluvial process by their effects on material cohesion. Channelized rivers were obtained in the “High Flow” conditions and the river corridor width was proven to be mainly connected with initial channel sinuousness and water discharge. Sickle-shaped and bamboo leaves-shaped sandbars were formed in the channels during the transformation process of meandering to braiding, the stability degree of sandbars reflects the adaption of channel morphology to hydrodynamic condition. Quantitative analysis confirms the formation of free steady bars, which manifests the free response as a downstream oscillation of the perturbation. Damping length is mainly affected by dominant discharge, channel width is the secondary factor, and channel sinuousness is the weakest factor. The wavelength of steady bars approximately equals to half of the initial streamwise wavelength. Sediment transport rate tends to increase with the increasing of channel sinuousness but stops growing due to the excessive increase of flow route and flow friction. The experiment results could be useful for verifying river pattern discriminant functions and offer a basis for further study on the morphological evolution of large-scale natural rivers, such as Yangtze River.     

Combining remote sensing with physical flow laws to estimate river channel geometry

A reliable representation of river terrains is essential to river research. Field surveys of river channel geometry are time‐consuming, costly, and logistically constrained and thus would encounter difficulties to achieve sufficient spatial coverage, resolution, and frequency of resurvey. This paper aims to demonstrate an efficient approach to building a river terrain model (RTM), the emphasis being on how to combine bathymetry and topography derived from satellite images captured at different flow stages. A method for calculating the difference between high and low stages (DHLS) based on the uniform‐flow theory is proposed. Calculations are carried out for a 13‐km long meandering section of the gravel‐bed Goulais River in Canada, which features pools and riffles, alternating point bars, and midchannel bars. A RTM for this complex section has been successfully produced. It consists of three data components: bathymetry at low stage, topography at high stage, and DHLS. The results capture realistic characteristics, including thalweg shift, steep outer banks, and gradual inner banks. They also show realistic longitudinal and lateral locations of pools and riffles. To illustrate potential applications of RTM, this paper has computed extreme bed shear stresses at bankfull discharge through hydrodynamics simulations of depth‐averaged flow in the river section and further estimated bed‐sediment grain‐size distributions. The estimates compare well with field measurements. The DHLS can vary significantly along a river channel. The proposed method for determining it is not site‐specific, and hence applicable to other rivers. The novelty of the methodology discussed lies in combining remote sensing techniques with physical flow laws.     

Numerical computation of free meandering channels with the application of slump blocks on the outer bends

Application of slump failure mechanism in the numerical modeling of the free meandering is the recent advancement towards dealing the real phenomena on the outer bends of meandering rivers with the numerical models. Recently numerous numerical simulations are performed using two-dimensional morphodynamic model for bed and bank with consideration of effects of slump blocks. Four different cases are simulated separately for steady and unsteady flow condition for about 6 h with and without slump block consideration. The measured bank erosion, channel migration and the channel width evolution show significant difference in the results due to inclusion of slump block effects. Long term simulation has been performed for 24 h to predict the free meandering behavior with variation of different slump block parameters. The result shows clear bar formation and projection, channel formation and migration towards the outer bends, making longer length of the flow path and increasing the sinuosity with the time which is very similar with the natural rivers.     

Geomorphological adjustment of a newly engineered upland sinuous gravel-bed river diversion: Evan Water,Scotland

Following construction of a sinuous diversion on an upland gravel-bed river two flood events within three days of each other, with estimated recurrence intervals of between 1·5 and 2·0 years, caused marked geomorphological adjustment to the channel. The floods resulted in bank erosion, point bar formation, scour on the outside of meander bends and particle sorting, but the overall stability of the river diversion, which is to flow adjacent to a new motorway embankment was not affected. Moreover, the channel adjustment brought about beneficial changes in terms of increasing morphological diversity: probably enhancing fish habitat, although spawning gravels placed at the head of riffles in the river diversion were scoured. The extent and nature of the geomorphological changes relate principally to the high stream power and bedload transport capacity of the river. Geomorphological principles, critical stream powers and bedload transport rates can account for the size and redistribution of bed material transport. Other factors accounting for the adjustment include limited vegetation colonization of geotextile-covered river banks and construction of overly narrow and high channel constrictions to promote flow convergence and acceleration at the head of downstream pools. The case study provides lessons for future construction of river diversions on high energy gravel-bed rivers. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

冲积河流推移质输沙最优河道形态影响因素理论分析

为从理论上确定水沙动力、阻力和边界条件对冲积河流推移质输沙最优河道形态和最小比降的影响,基于 水力半径分割方法将河床整体糙率划分为河岸糙率和河底糙率;采用河道形态自动调整变分方法,以等腰梯形为 河道过水断面,推导推移质输沙率与河道形态的关系,分析河岸与河底相对糙率、河岸坡角、流量、输沙率、中值 粒径和河底糙率对最优河道形态和最小比降的影响。结果表明：最优河道形态和最小比降随河岸与河底相对糙 率的增大而减小,随河岸坡角的增大而增大。流量或者河底糙率的增加将使最小比降减小,同时造成最优河道形 态趋向窄深。输沙率或者中值粒径的增加将使最小比降增大,但两者对最优河道形态演变的影响不同,输沙率增 大将使最优河道形态向宽浅发展,而中值粒径增加将使最优河道形态向窄深发展。     

Rapid CHannel Widening Following Weir Removal due to Bed‐Material Wave Dispersion on the River Monnow,Wales

Kentchurch Weir, a low‐head weir on the river Monnow, Wales, was demolished in August 2011, releasing a sediment wave that had formed behind the structure for at least a century. We surveyed channel topography and bed‐material composition through a 1.5‐km long reach prior to weir removal and then periodically over a 2‐year period. The fill material was finer than the ambient bed material with all particles mobilized by bankfull flows. Rapid degradation of the 1460‐m³ sediment fill in the previously impounded reach occurred as bed material appeared to disperse downstream, consistent with other studies of sediment waves in gravel‐bed rivers. The riverbed profile was gradually smoothed through the study reach by degrading the elevated fill as a migrating knickpoint and aggrading the channel bed and bars immediately downstream of the former weir location. Extensive bank erosion was evident in the previously impounded reach with up to 10 m of widening following a single flow event, increasing channel width by more than 20%. Mitigation measures to enforce the riverbanks have been required as the gradual dispersion of the sediment wave continues to force flow diversion towards the riverbanks. The evolution of sediment stores behind flow obstructions follows that of sediment waves and theory available to describe wave evolution should do much to improve management efforts that seek to minimize channel widening following weir removal. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SEDIMENT TRANSPORT AND FLOW DYNAMICS AROUND A RESTORED POOL IN A FISH HABITAT REHABILITATION PROJECT: FIELD AND 3D NUMERICAL MODELLING EXPERIMENTS

Few studies have examined sediment transport patterns around in‐stream structures used to enhance fish habitat despite the importance of this variable in the successful design of stream restoration schemes. The objective of this study is to examine interactions between the (excavated) pool morphology, flow and sediment transport in a restored reach of the Nicolet River (Quebec, Canada). Bedload transport was investigated using passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagged particles that were followed from positions upstream of a pair of current deflectors which were designed to maintain the excavated pool downstream. Three‐dimensional numerical simulations of the flow field at various flow stages (with emerged or submerged deflectors) were used to relate near‐bed velocity and bed shear stress to transport patterns and to assess the impact of varying the pool location and geometry on the flow field and water surface profiles. Results show that from 2005 to 2008, of the 117 pit‐tagged particles that fell in the pool, only 27 are known to have exited. None of the 30 largest rocks entering the pool escaped. Bed shear stress values simulated at high and peak flow (slightly above bankfull level) are not sufficient to move the largest rocks in the pool exit zone. Simulations also reveal a complex water surface topography when flow is above the height of deflectors, with negative water surface slope in the pool zone. When modifying the pool geometry so that the deepest zones are close to the apex of the in‐stream structures instead of in the centre of the channel, both water surface slope and near‐bed velocity patterns are greatly modified. Understanding the interactions between excavated pools, bedload and 3D velocity patterns around in‐stream structures is essential for long‐term success of fish habitat restoration projects, and using 3D models to test various designs of artificial pools is a promising approach. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Avulsions in a Simulated Large Lowland Braided River

The understanding of the complicated braiding mechanisms in braided rivers is closely related to avulsions. They control the channel generation, migration and disappearance in large lowland braided rivers, and are considered to be the key factor that keeps the river maintaining a dynamic braided pattern. However, their occurring processes and mechanisms are still not well understood due to the lack of detailed measurements with sufficient temporal and spatial data covering multiple bifurcations. In the present study, a numerical model based on the physical process of hydrodynamics and sediment transport is used to simulate the suspended sediment transport and river channel evolution in braided rivers. The model predicted braiding processes are comparable to those observed in nature. Efforts are made to investigate the morphological processes that are key for river braiding. Three types of avulsions observed in natural rivers have been identified in the model predicted river and their evolution processes and controlling factors are examined based on the predicted flow velocity, sediment concentration, bed elevation and sediment size distribution. It was found that, a curving channel bend is the key factor in introducing a constriction avulsion, while the choking avulsion and apex avulsion are controlled by the water surface slope and bed elevation. They are mostly affected by the upstream channel pattern changes.     

常曲率U型弯道水流结构与泥沙冲淤试验研究

通过在常曲率U型弯道水槽试验中采集的流速和水深过程数据,研究了弯道内水流结构及泥沙冲淤形态,分析了水流与床面之间的相互影响。试验发现:(1)弯道水流结构水面线发生扭曲,水流动力轴线及三个方向的垂线平均流速随流程和横向分布均有变化;(2)由于弯道特有的几何特征,使弯道中水流产生特有的弯道环流运动,弯道环流运动引起弯道泥沙的横向输移,形成弯道凹岸冲刷、凸岸淤积的冲淤特性,反之,床面形态的变化也使水流结构发生改变。研究所得结果可为河流泥沙研究提供参考。     

Downstream Effects of Recent Reservoir Development on the Morphodynamics of a Meandering Channel: Savery Creek,Wyoming, USA

Recent reservoir construction on Savery Creek provided an opportunity to examine the downstream effects of a dam on a small, meandering channel. The new dam, completed in 2005, modified the flow regime by reducing the magnitude of spring peaks and increasing baseflows, including a second period of high discharge in the fall. A time series of remotely sensed data spanning 1980–2011 was used to measure lateral migration rates, quantify areas of erosion and deposition, and map spatial patterns of channel change. Both migration rates, and gross erosion and deposition increased during the post‐dam era, although 2 years of exceptionally large snowmelt runoff also occurred during this time. Net sediment flux inferred from the image time series was negative for both the upper and lower reaches for the first photo pair after the dam's completion but became positive for the most recent photos. Detailed topographic surveys of five individual meander bends were used to produce digital elevation models of difference and infer bed material transport rates. For three sites located in the upper reach, downstream increases in transport rate implied a sediment deficit satisfied through channel incision and/or bank erosion. For two sites in the lower reach where sediment supply was greater, larger values of gross erosion were balanced by enhanced deposition and transport rates stabilized or increased along each bend. Together, these results suggest that Savery Creek has entered a period of adjustment as the channel adapts to altered, dam‐regulated supplies of water and sediment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

山区河流河床形态对推移质输沙率影响的试验研究

为探索山区卵砾石河流推移质运动受水流条件和河床形态的影响规律,开展了大比降浅水流动条件下卵砾石输移的室内水槽试验,获得了两组泥沙组成的19个流量条件下的水流、泥沙及河床三维地形场数据。结合室内水槽试验及文献中的天然河流输沙观测数据,分析了不同水沙输移阶段水流阻力、河床形态与推移质运动之间的关系。试验结果表明:河床阻力系数随着河床形态强度参数增大而增大,形态阻力与河床形态强度参数相关性更强。在泥沙补给充分阶段,推移质输沙率与床面阻力、形态阻力及河床形态强度参数均呈正相关关系;在泥沙补给不充分的水流冲刷阶段,推移质输沙率随河床形态强度参数增大而减小。     

弯曲河道推移质输沙带的研究

本文建立了适用于弯曲程度不同时的河道泥沙起动流速公式，对环流非充分发展的，床面达到动平衡状态的弯曲河道推移质强烈输沙带进行了研究。导出了弯曲河道内呆烈输沙带的曲线方程，经模型连续弯道内实测输沙带的位置和计算强烈输沙带曲线的比较，结果令人满意。     

中国冲积大河的河型分布与成因

结合遥感影像、野外调查和水沙数据,以冲积大河为研究对象,分析中国大河的河型分布及成因。中国大河的冲积河段以弯曲与辫状河型为主,局部河段为分汊与网状河型。综合考虑河型分布的一般性和特殊性,认为相对输沙率(来沙量与输沙能力之比)、相对河岸侵蚀切应力(近岸水流切应力与河岸临界抗冲切应力之比)和河谷地形控制(如节点和宽度)是决定河型成因的3个最主要的因素。     

Development and application of 2-D mobile-bed model with bedrock river evolution mechanism

Steep slope and severe bed change are the characteristics of mountain rivers. These characteristics often cause the bed armour layer flushed away, make the bedrock exposed, and then increase the channel incision. Most mobile-bed models of past few decades aimed at the sediment transport of alluvial channel. In this paper, a bedrock river evolution mechanism is proposed, and included in a 2-D mobile-bed model, called the explicit finite analytic model (EFA). The EFA model can consider both incision and deposition over the bedrock, by combining a new stream power type of bedrock erosion rate formula with the flow and sediment transport modules. An uplifted reach of Taan River, Taiwan, caused by the Chi–Chi earthquake occurred in 1999 is chosen as the study site. Rapid bedrock incision since the uplift provides a rare chance to explore its mechanism and evolution process. The field and numerical results show that the proposed model has the capability of simulating morphological changes for bedrock rivers.     

云南浑水沟泥石流与大盈江河床演变

通过对浑水沟泥石流治理前后,泥石流输沙量变化与大盈江南底河段河床演变关系的研究,指出泥石流沟对主河河床演变影响的主要原因是,支沟泥石流输入主河泥沙数量的急剧变化改变了主河的来沙条件,导致主河河床的剧烈演变。当支沟泥石流输入主河的泥沙量大于主河输沙量时,主河河床将上涨,在宽谷或山间盆地可形成与平原河流相似的游荡性河流;当支沟泥石流输入主河的泥沙量小于主河的输沙量时,主河河床将下切,并逐渐恢复山区性河流的特征。     

黄河下游高村-陶城铺河段边界阻力能耗与河床稳定性分析

从河床边界阻力能耗角度研究河床形态调整规律,引入河床稳定性指标,探讨与边界阻力能耗率的相关性。以黄河下游高村至陶城铺河段为研究区域,采用实测资料、理论解析与数值模拟相结合方法,基于不同年份河道地形,计算出不同流量条件下的水力要素与边界阻力能耗率,分析河床形态调整过程及边界阻力能耗率响应,讨论了边界阻力能耗率与河床稳定性关系。结果表明:边界阻力能耗率沿程均值和波动强度随着流量增大而增大;阻力能耗率随着过水面积或宽深比呈先减小后增大趋势,且与河床稳定指标呈正相关关系,但能耗率趋近最小值时,河床也可能发生下限失稳。通过优化河床断面形态,维持河床稳定情况下寻求边界阻力能耗率最小,能够提高河槽的输水输沙能力。     

堰塞体堵江对雅鲁藏布大峡谷地区河流地貌的影响

雅鲁藏布大峡谷地区地质灾害频繁,以易贡藏布与帕隆藏布两条支流为主,这2条河流沿岸发生滑坡、崩塌和泥石流易形成堰塞体堵塞河道并形成堰塞湖。基于易贡湖、古乡湖、然乌湖和天磨沟的多年遥感影像以及函数拟合纵剖面分析与野外调查,分析堰塞体上游河床演变过程及其河流地貌学意义。以易贡湖为例,当堰塞湖水深从4 m增至8 m时,估算其单宽输沙能力增加约3倍,但输沙率沿程快速衰减,泥沙进入堰塞湖中发生严重淤积,从而发育较多成型淤积体,同时洪水期水流将原有成型淤积体(如沙洲)冲刷分割为不规则的群体沙洲,使得湖内河床形态持续变化。本成果为研究河流地貌对堰塞体堵江的响应提供了基础。     

天然河湾极限弯曲度

天然河湾是弯曲型河流最显著的地貌单元。河湾形态处在发展变化之中,它通过凹岸侵蚀和凸岸淤积,不断地蠕动和变形,弯曲度持续变大直至自然裁弯。为了探究天然河湾在自然裁弯之前是否存在极限弯曲度,利用Google Earth卫星图像,选取了长江、黑龙江、密西西比河等9条河流(包括支流)的高弯曲度河湾和牛轭湖作为统计样本,定义了河湾及牛轭湖的平面形态参数并予以测算。牛轭湖作为河湾裁弯后的残留河段,其弯曲度对河湾所能达到的极限弯曲度具有参考价值。研究表明在统计意义上天然河湾存在极限弯曲度,河湾发生裁弯时,其极限弯曲度并不趋向无穷大。河湾弯曲度的样本统计近似服从正态分布,初步确定河湾极限弯曲度变化区间[10,30]。当河湾的颈口河宽、平均河宽和曲流颈长逐渐变小时,河湾弯曲度均先迅速变小,到达极小值后逐渐趋于稳定。天然河湾形态具有分形几何特征,其分形维数主要集中于区间[1.10,1.35]。分形维数和弯曲度描叙河湾几何形态具有一致性,当分形维数增大时,弯曲度随之缓慢变大。     

挟沙水流的冲刷率及河床惯性的研究

在清水水流河床冲刷率的实验研究基础上，本文进一步研究了挟涉水流来沙率对冲刷率的影响。结果说明挟抄水流的冲刷率随来沙率与水流输沙力欠饱和度之比以负指数律降低。当来水挟抄率与水流饱和输抄率相等时，冲刷率降刊0。河床惯性是河床在非恒定流中一种重要的动力学性质。利用河床惯性与冲刷率的关系测量了各种沙样的河床惯性值。发现河床惯性随床沙颗粒分选系数增大而增大，分选系数很大时趋近于极限值50t／Tn0。利用河床惯性和河床变形方程得出了冲刷过程中水流输沙率沿程和随时间的变化规律，结果说明水流输沙率欠饱和度向下游以负指数律下降，这与冲刷率随实际水流挟沙率与欠饱和度之比以指数率下降的规律有耜同意义。河床惯性愈大，实际水流输沙率增长得愈慢。河床惯性与于容重及摩阻流速之比构成的无困次数A。代表河床变形和水流实际挟沙量对水流挟沙力变化的响应程度。     

基于洪水涨冲落淤特性分析游荡性河道双岸整治对冲淤的影响

基于黄河下游及主要干支流、美国密苏里河和密西西比河的实测资料,分析了低含沙洪水和高含沙洪水的输沙与冲淤特性。研究表明,河道沿程比降虽然变缓,但河宽变窄,流速沿程增加,是造成冲积河流保持洪水输沙平衡的边界条件。底沙的运动比洪水波传播得慢,是造成洪水在河道中长距离冲刷的根本原因,而与河道的比降陡缓关系不大。河道输沙特性呈现"多来多排",是形成河床沿程冲刷的水流动力条件。通过黄河下游河道双岸整治,河道形成窄深、归顺、稳定的河槽,使洪水造床和输沙作用增强,从而对河道冲刷作用增加。