Impact of the channelization‐induced incision of the Skawa and Wisłoka Rivers,southern Poland,on the conditions of overbank deposition

The impact of river incision in response to channelization on the conditions of overbank deposition is shown by the study of two montane rivers from the upper Vistula drainage basin, southern Poland. The Wisl/oka River had insufficient energy to destroy the river‐control structures and remained laterally stable in the course of the channel downcutting. Under such conditions, the incision has raised the relative elevation of the floodplain above the river bed, thereby reducing considerably the frequency of overbank flows, and increasing concentration of suspended sediment transport within the incised channel. On the high‐energy Skawa, the long periods of incision of the channelized river alternated with the shorter periods of lateral channel migration over the twentieth century. This has led to the formation of an incised meander belt, within which flood flows are constricted, and where the high velocities of the floodplain flows inhibit overbank deposition. Field observations confirm an insignificant role played nowadays by floodplain sedimentation in the valleys of both rivers. This study shows that the potential of the floodplains of the Carpathian tributaries to the Vistula for sediment storage has been dramatically reduced over the few past decades as a result of the channelization‐induced incision of the rivers. The frequency of overbank flows has decreased considerably on the rivers draining the eastern part of the Polish Carpathians, and the majority of the suspended sediment is routed within the resultant enlarged channels. In the western part of the mountains, high velocities of the floodplain flows restrict overbank deposition on the narrow floodplains developed along incised channels. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

80年代黄河下游河道冲淤演变情况

80年代黄河下游河道累计淤积泥沙4.12亿t,是下游河道淤积最少的10年(三门峡水库拦沙期除外),其中高村一艾山河段淤积3.59亿t,占87％。下游河道淤积集中在1986、1988两年,其中1988年淤积量达5.14亿t,比10年累计淤积还多1亿t,其余大部分年份河道处微淤或冲刷状态。黄河流域人类活动对下游河道冲淤有一定影响,但起主导作用的还是暴雨大小及地区分布。10年间进入黄河下游的水、沙总体上属于枯水少沙系列,来沙偏少更多。年均来沙仅量8.62亿t,是来沙量最少的lO年。黄河下游来沙量大幅度减少,主要是多沙和粗沙产区的河龙区间大雨、暴雨显著偏少所致。多沙地区一旦出现暴雨,来沙量就会明显增加,如1988年,皇甫…、窟野河等多沙粗沙支流发生较大洪水,年沙量达15.5亿t,下游河道发生严重淤积。深入研究80年代来水来沙条件及下游河道冲淤特点,对于更好地认识和治理黄河具有重要意义。     

长江中下游洪水位与河床冲淤关系初探

针对长江中下游近50年来部分水文断面如螺山、城陵矶洪水位抬升明显、高洪水位持续时间加长的问题,统计了大量水位、流量、水流含沙量以及河床地形等实测资料,并进行分析计算.结果表明,长江中下游洪水位变化与河段河床演变及河道形态变化密切相关,江湖淤积及河道形态变化是造成洪水位抬高及高洪水位持续时间加长的主要原因.     

黄河下游单向缩窄典型河道泥沙冲淤特性研究

本文选择黄河下游裴峪至官庄峪典型束窄河段为研究对象，以丁坝缩窄河道方式，通过控制水流强度、缩窄水流位置、相对缩窄尺度和边界条件等四个主要因素，进行不同缩窄尺度的动床模型试验。试验结果表明：水沙运动要素变化受相对缩窄尺度、缩窄位置和边界条件影响较大；随着相对缩窄尺度的增大，在洪水位条件下主河槽冲刷量和滩地淤积量逐渐增大，主槽范围相应扩大，其高程普遍呈下降趋势，特别是缩窄断面导流堤顶端部位出现明显的局部冲刷坑，束水冲沙、增大输沙能力的效果明显；当相对缩窄尺度B1/B大于0.50时，主流线位移、断面流速和河床冲淤的相对变化速率明显增大，这些研究成果的取得将对治黄工程具有一定的指导意义。     

黄河流域典型沙质河段冲淤量预估方法及应用

为扭转宁蒙河段水沙失衡趋势,合理分配输沙用水,提高河道排洪输沙效率,本文根据黄河流域典型沙质河段实测资料,依照河流动力学原理,通过引入水流挟沙力,建立了不同水沙条件下典型河段冲淤量预估方法。实测资料检验表明,该方法能够简便快速地根据进口断面洪水实测水沙因子,较好地预估下游河段的冲淤量。通过分析不同条件下预估冲淤量可以得出,在经历多年淤积而致主槽严重萎缩的情况下,内蒙古巴彦高勒-头道拐段以1 500 m3/s流量级冲刷河槽效率最高,建议在水库调节初期采用小流量多阶段冲刷的方式,达到重塑河槽的效果。根据不同的进口条件快捷估算河段冲淤量,能够为河流水沙过程调控以及河道整治规划提供技术支撑。     

Channel response to sediment replenishment in a large gravel‐bed river: The case of the Saint‐Sauveur dam in the Buëch River (Southern Alps,France)

The Saint‐Sauveur dam was built in 1992 in the middle section of the Buëch River. Downstream of the dam, a channel incision by several meters was observed. A gravel replenishment operation was planned in order to restore the active channel. An equivalent of two times the mean annual bedload‐transport capacity (43,500 m³) was replenished downstream of the dam in September 2016. The aim of this paper is to quantify morphological change associated with sediment remobilization in order to evaluate the efficiency of the restoration works. The monitoring was based on a combination of (a) change detection using sequential high‐resolution digital elevation models (from airborne LiDAR data), (b) bedload tracing using active ultrahigh‐frequency radio‐frequency identification technology, and (c) complementary field surveys of channel grain‐size distribution and morphology for bedload‐transport computation. Field monitoring allows us to capture a net aggradation along a 2‐km reach after the first post‐replenishment flood. A sediment balance analysis was performed to back‐calculate bedload supply coming from the sluicing operation during the flood. Although the sediment replenishment operation clearly had a positive impact on the morphological conditions of the starved river reach, the effective bedload supply from artificial berms (22,650 m³) was insufficient to initiate substantial channel shifting along the restored reach and a subsequent amplification of the sediment recharge. The combination of high‐resolution topographic resurveys and sediment tracing was successful to evaluate the downstream propagation of sediment replenishment effects.     

A GIS‐based approach to mapping probabilities of river bank erosion: regulated River Tummel,Scotland

This study explores the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques for mapping river channel planform change and bank erosion probability. The method used is primarily based on an approach developed by Graf (Graf, W.L. 1984. ‘A probabilistic approach to the spatial assessment of river channel instability’, Water Resour. Res., 20 (7), 953–962), which proposed that bank erosion probability could be determined for any given cell on a floodplain by taking into account (i) its distance laterally and in the upstream direction to the active river channel, and (ii) a value representing flood magnitudes for the given period. In this study, Graf's method is refined by using a GIS approach and by incorporating the influence of geomorphic variables, such as river bank morphology, sediment type and floodplain vegetation, on bank erosion rates. In addition, the technique is applied to a wandering gravel‐bed river of roughly 80 m width, representing a different type and size of river to that used in Graf's study. Thus, the wider applicability of the technique is tested. In addition, the analysis here covers only a short time scale (1988–1994) compared with that used by Graf. The high temporal resolution of this study is enabled by the use of aerial photography and also by the substantial channel changes that occurred within this time period as a result of several high magnitude flood events. The results of the study indicate the usefulness and validity of the approach, particularly with regard to floodplain erosion hazard mapping and the assessment of the effects of altered flood regimes and land use. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Patterns in groundwater nitrogen concentration in the riparian zone of a large semi‐arid river (River Murray,Australia)

Lateral exchanges of surface water between river channels and their floodplains are important for vegetation health and aquatic food‐web productivity in semi‐arid ecosystems. However, the significance of the lateral connectivity via sub‐surface pathways in these systems is not as well understood. Patterns in nitrogen concentration in groundwater and in the unsaturated zone were used to infer the sub‐surface biogeochemistry of N in the riparian zone of a large semi‐arid floodplain (Hattah‐Kulkyne National Park) of the River Murray, Australia. The riparian zone plays a special role in this system as it is an area of transition between fresh surface waters and saline floodplain groundwater. The river was losing water to the floodplain during baseflow conditions but gradients were temporarily reversed following floods. In general, the redox conditions were sub‐oxic to anoxic in riparian groundwater and the main forms of N present were NH and dissolved organic N. There was a gradient in NH concentration from the river to the floodplain, suggesting that the main source of NH was from the decomposition of organic matter in fluvial sediments. Elevated concentrations of NO were occasionally found in shallow groundwater away from the river following floods but tended not to persist. The source of the NO appeared to be unsaturated‐zone NO displaced to the water table during floods. Assuming that denitrification was the main attenuation process, this displacement of unsaturated zone NO to anoxic groundwater could be a significant N removal process from the ecosystem (estimated at 18 kg N ha^?1 for the largest flood during the study). Understanding the impact of river regulation on floodplain nutrient cycles in River Murray floodplains will be challenging because the changes in floodplain hydrology are complex and coincide with salinization of soils and groundwater. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A 12‐month sediment and nutrient budget in a floodplain reach of the River Adour,southwest France

The sediment and nutrient budget in the floodplain reach of the River Adour in southwest France has been examined over a 1‐year period (1991–1992). Outputs of total suspended matter, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (i.e. nitrate+ammonium ions) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and particulate phosphorus (PP) have been compared with inputs. Alternating phases of mobilization and retention are observed for all the elements considered. Low water periods in summer allowed retention of both soluble material (24–26% for inorganic nitrogen) and suspended matter (9–19%). However, mobilization of PP associated with suspended matter transport during these periods. Elevated discharges associated with increased rainfall during the autumn period induced significant mobilization for all elements. In contrast, the winter flood event gave rise to a retention of particulate material (i.e. suspended matter and PP, 11% and 26%, respectively), but a loss of soluble materials (5% for inorganic nitrogen and 186% for DIP). The spring flood event produced retention for particulate materials (26%) while inducing losses of inorganic nitrogen (9%) and gains of DIP (7.4%). These results are related to riparian vegetation and the dynamics of nutrient cycling within the floodplain. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sedimentology of New Fluvial Deposits on the Elwha River,Washington, USA,Formed During Large‐Scale Dam Removal

Removal of two dams 32 m and 64 m high on the Elwha River, Washington, USA, provided the first opportunity to examine river response to a dam removal and controlled sediment influx on such a large scale. Although many recent river‐restoration efforts have included dam removal, large dam removals have been rare enough that their physical and ecological effects remain poorly understood. New sedimentary deposits that formed during this multi‐stage dam removal result from a unique, artificially created imbalance between fluvial sediment supply and transport capacity. River flows during dam removal were essentially natural and included no large floods in the first two years, while draining of the two reservoirs greatly increased the sediment supply available for fluvial transport. The resulting sedimentary deposits exhibited substantial spatial heterogeneity in thickness, stratal‐formation patterns, grain size and organic content. Initial mud deposition in the first year of dam removal filled pore spaces in the pre‐dam‐removal cobble bed, potentially causing ecological disturbance but not aggrading the bed substantially at first. During the second winter of dam removal, thicker and in some cases coarser deposits replaced the early mud deposits. By 18 months into dam removal, channel‐margin and floodplain deposits were commonly >0.5 m thick and, contrary to pre‐dam‐removal predictions that silt and clay would bypass the river system, included average mud content around 20%. Large wood and lenses of smaller organic particles were common in the new deposits, presumably contributing additional carbon and nutrients to the ecosystem downstream of the dam sites. Understanding initial sedimentary response to the Elwha River dam removals will inform subsequent analyses of longer‐term sedimentary, geomorphic and ecosystem changes in this fluvial and coastal system, and will provide important lessons for other river‐restoration efforts where large dam removal is planned or proposed. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

Effect of fine sediment deposition and channel works on periphyton biomass in the Makomanai River,northern Japan

The Makomanai River in northern Japan has suffered considerable fine sediment deposition, especially in a reach where channel works have been constructed. Four contiguous reaches were examined for deposition of fine sediment and the effects of such on periphyton biomass; two of the reaches had channel works and bank protection, respectively, the other two being unmodified. The influence of fine sedimentation on epilithic periphyton biomass (chlorophyll a weight and organic matter weight) and the autotrophic index (AI), and the relationship between these and hydraulic variables was emphasized. Fine sediment increased, chlorophyll a decreased and AI increased in the reach with channel works and in the unmodified reach immediately upstream. In addition, the current velocity and Froude number tended to decrease in the reach with channel works. Correlation analysis showed that with an increase in fine sediment, chlorophyll a decreased and non‐living periphyton, indicated by AI, increased. It was also confirmed that fine sediment increased with an increase in weight of periphyton organic matter and decreased with an increase in current velocity or Froude number. These results suggest that accumulation of fine sediment, which substantially reduces light penetration for photosynthesis under low current velocity conditions, results in lowered periphyton levels. The channel works have lowered the current velocity, thus promoting deposition of fine sediment and an increase in non‐living periphyton. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Post‐flooding distribution and characteristics of large woody debris piles along the semi‐arid Sabie River,South Africa

The formation of large woody debris (LWD) piles has a profound impact on channel patterns and riparian succession in temperate rivers. The opportunity to study LWD along the Sabie River, a river in the semi‐arid region of Kruger National Park, South Africa, arose in February 2000 after a significant flood (c. 100‐year return interval) removed a large proportion of the fully mature riparian forest and other plant communities. Much of the uprooted vegetation was deposited as LWD piles (woody vegetation accumulations deposited on the ground > 0.1 m³) throughout the riparian and upland zones. In this article we describe the spatial distribution patterns of LWD as related to geomorphic channel type and flood frequency zone, and assess pile composition characteristics six months after the flood. Within the areas surveyed there were 68 LWD piles per hectare, the median size of LWD piles was 4.6 m³ but pile sizes (by volume) varied widely. Pool/rapid geomorphic channel types had the highest density of LWD piles (79 ha^?1) and the largest piles (by volume) were in the bedrock anastomosing channels (mean = 124 m³). Piles were larger in the seasonal and ephemeral flood frequency zones (mean = 54 m³ and 55 m³) than piles in the active zone (c. 2 m³). The patterns of distribution and volume of LWD will affect the subsequent development of vegetation communities as debris piles form a mosaic of patches of surviving organisms and propagules that can strongly influence the initial trajectory of succession. The amount, distribution, and subsequent decomposition of LWD are different from that reported for temperate rivers, suggesting that the role of LWD may be different on non‐floodplain rivers such as the Sabie in semi‐arid South Africa. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Estimate of Basin‐Wide Denitrification Based on Floodplain Inundation in the Atchafalaya River Basin,Louisiana

Maximizing the reduction of nitrate to dinitrogen gas (denitrification) has been advocated as a means to decrease nitrate pollution that causes eutrophication and hypoxia in estuaries worldwide. Managing this flux in bottomland forest wetlands of the Mississippi River could potentially reduce the world's second largest hypoxic zone. We used published denitrification rates, geospatial data on habitat area and inundation frequency, water level records (1963–2011), and average monthly temperatures to estimate annual denitrification in the Atchafalaya River Basin, the principal distributary of the Mississippi River. Denitrification rates ranged from 5394 kg N year^?1 (3.07 kg N km^?2 year^?1) in 1988 to 17 420 kg N year^?1 (9.92 kg N km^?2 year^?1) in 1981, and rates were consistently higher in fall compared with those in spring. Total NO₃^? denitrified in the basin was negligible compared with total NO₃^? entering the Gulf of Mexico. If all N denitrified in the basin instead entered the Gulf, the hypoxic zone was predicted to increase only 5.07 km² (0.06%). This negligible effect of the basin on N dynamics in the Gulf agrees with other mass balance and isotopic studies in the region. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fundamental study on the effects of the keystone height and structure on sediment deposition in a high‐gradient channel

Step–pool structures are among the most important structures in riverbed morphology that can contribute to the stabilization of riverbeds and riverbanks, energy dissipation during floods, and head reduction function. Two concepts have been suggested regarding step–pool formation: the development of antidunes (antidune concept) and keystone concept. The latter suggests that a large boulder (keystone) incidentally left in a river channel can trap pebbles and build a step–pool structure. The ultimate goal of this study is to reveal the step–pool formation process and establish a design method based on the keystone concept. This paper describes the experimental results of the effects of the keystone arrangement on sediment deposition. Step–pool formation based on the keystone concept has previously been focused on the process of sediment deposition a short distance from a keystone. However, this study reveals that the obstruction of sediment supply due to the decreased flow velocity in the main river course is an important factor. When the arrangement interval of keystones is small, the amount of sediment supply downstream decreases because the flow velocity at the main flow channel between the keystones does not increase. In contrast, the flow velocity at the main river course increases between the keystones, and supplied sediment is transported to the most downstream section if the keystone arrangement interval is large enough to join the flow from the bank side of the keystones.     

Heat exchanges and temperatures within a salmon spawning stream in the Cairngorms,Scotland: seasonal and sub‐seasonal dynamics

Stream temperatures are often used to predict salmonid embryo development; but there are very few medium‐term studies of the heat exchanges determining water column and bed temperatures. Furthermore, no research exists on the energy balance for sub‐arctic Scottish rivers. This paper reports results of a hydrometeorological study of a Cairngorm stream (Girnock burn, northeast Scotland) over the salmon spawning–hatch season (late October 2001 to mid‐April 2002) that aims: (1) to characterize seasonal and sub‐seasonal stream energy budget and thermal dynamics; and (2) to explain these variations with respect to meteorological and hydrological factors. In terms of average energy flux contributions, sensible heat (38.7%), the bed heat flux (37.0%) and friction at the stream bed and banks (24.3%) are heat sources, while latent heat (73.1%) and net radiation (26.9%) are heat sinks. All energy losses and 38.7% of heat gains occur at the air–water interface; and 61.3% of energy gains (including friction) take place at the water–channel bed interface. Typically, temperatures increase (+1.97°C) and show dampening of thermal response from the water column to depth in the stream bed. The most salient findings include: (1) the stream bed (atmosphere) is the dominant energy source (sink) for heating (cooling) channel water, which may be attributed to inferred heat advection by groundwater up‐welling into the bed of this upland stream; (2) sensible heat is the primary atmospheric energy source due to limited net radiation; (3) friction at the stream bed and banks is an important heat source. Energy budget terms and temperatures exhibit (sub‐)seasonal changes in response to meteorological and hydrological conditions; a schematic diagram is presented to summarize these results. This paper clearly illustrates the need for further medium‐ to long‐term empirical stream energy balance research to characterize heat flux dynamics and, thus, understand and predict water temperature variations over time‐scales of relevance to biological studies. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

三门峡水库不同运用时期下游河道不同粒径泥沙的冲淤调整趋势

通过分析黄河下游河道的实测水沙资料，对三门峡水库不同运用时间下游河道不同粒径泥沙的冲淤调整进行了分析，比较，得出了近３０年下游河道不同粒径泥沙的冲淤调整趋势，即淤积有，较大幅度地减少，其中汛期淤积量减少非汛期河道由淤积状态转变为冲刷状态；在滞洪排沙运用条件下，出现以粗泥沙为主的淤积；在蓄清排浑运用条件下，由于来水来沙减少，河道淤积明显减少。     

Large dam removal and early spontaneous riparian vegetation recruitment on alluvium in a former reservoir: Lessons learned from the pre‐removal phase of the Sélune River project (France)

The restoration of ecological continuity along the Sélune River (Normandy, France) involves the removal of two tall hydroelectric dams (36 m removed in 2019 and 16 m in 2021), a project without precedent in Europe. During the pre‐removal phase (2014–2018), we performed scientific monitoring of the vegetation that was colonizing alluvium in the former dam reservoir (length: 19 km; surface area: 151 ha). Our study aimed to analyse if spontaneous vegetation could ecologically restore the riparian zone and help maintain fine sediment after dam removal. We used colonization indicators related to vegetation structure, taxonomic richness and diversity, and composition. These indicators were calculated at two spatial scales (local, at a single site, and broad, along the reservoir). The aim was to (a) characterize the spontaneously established species pool; (b) analyse longitudinal patterns in vegetation colonization; and (c) assess temporal changes in the species community. Our results show that diverse plant communities have developed. Slight differences in longitudinal and lateral patterns existed; they were linked with habitat heterogeneity and the reservoir's slow pace of draining. We observed fast spontaneous terrestrialization, which has resulted in cover stabilization, decreased diversity, and the development of herbaceous riverbank communities, with very few invasive species. This finding suggests stabilization potential is high and passive ecological restoration could occur, at least locally. Further analyses focusing on functional traits could help inform future management decisions regarding revegetation on reservoir alluvium.     

Hydrogeomorphic and Biotic Drivers of Instream Wood Differ Across Sub‐basins of the Columbia River Basin,USA

Instream wood promotes habitat heterogeneity through its influence on flow hydraulics and channel geomorphology. Within the Columbia River Basin, USA, wood is vital for the creation and maintenance of habitat for threatened salmonids. However, our understanding of the relative roles of the climatic, geomorphic, and ecological processes that source wood to streams is limited, making it difficult to identify baseline predictions of instream wood and create targets for stream restoration. Here, we investigate how instream wood frequency and volume differ between seven sub‐basins of the interior Columbia River Basin and what processes shape these differences within these sub‐basins. We collected data on wood volume and frequency, discharge and stream power, and riparian and watershed forest structure for use in modelling wood volume and frequency. Using random forest models, we found that mean annual precipitation, riparian tree cover, and the individual watershed were the most important predictors of wood volume and frequency. Within sub‐basins, we used linear models, finding that some basins had unique predictors of wood. Discharge, watershed area, or precipitation often combined with forest cover, riparian conifer, and/or large tree cover in models of instream large wood volume and frequency. In many sub‐basins, models showed at least one hydrologic variable, indicative of transport competence and one ecological variable, indicative of the reach or upstream watershed's capability to grow measurable instream wood. We conclude that basin‐specific models yield important insights into the hydrologic and ecological processes that influence wood loads, creating tractable hypotheses for building predictive models of instream wood. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Importance and seasonal availability of terrestrial invertebrates as prey for juvenile salmonids in floodplain spring brooks of the Kol River (Kamchatka,Russian Federation)

Energy and resource fluxes between terrestrial and aquatic habitats of river flood plains can have reciprocal influences on food webs. Floodplain spring brooks may contain high densities (>1 m⁻²) of juvenile fish even when aquatic food resources appear to be low. A likely explanation is the allochthonous energy subsidy from riparian vegetation (e.g. leaves, invertebrates). To quantify this relationship in a rich salmon river ecosystem, we measured the temporal and spatial flux of terrestrial invertebrate and aquatic food resources in relation to diets of the two most abundant salmonid species in two spring brooks within early (<20 years) and late (>50 years) successional riparia on an expansive coastal flood plain of the Kol River, Kamchatka. Standing crops of benthic invertebrates and density of drifting invertebrates (dry mass) were fairly low (<4 g m⁻² and <1 mg m⁻³, respectively) at both sites, but annual average terrestrial invertebrate input among sites was 22.2 ± 0.1 mg m⁻² day⁻¹. On average 68% of the coho salmon diet was of terrestrial origin, contrasting with 13% for Dolly Varden char at both sites, thus showing resource partitioning. Diet varied temporally and spatially with prey availability. Specifically, larvae of a weevil (Curculionidae) feeding on willow catkins were a dominant diet item for coho in the spring but only at the early successional site; Dolly Varden also ate these weevils but aquatic invertebrates continued to dominate their diets, further demonstrating behavioural segregation. The results show the importance of channel‐floodplain connectivity to management and conservation of salmon rivers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.