Articles | Volume 11, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-1-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-1-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
04 Jan 2023
Research article |
| 04 Jan 2023
| 04 Jan 2023
Coupling between downstream variations of channel width and local pool–riffle bed topography
Shawn M. Chartrand
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Environmental Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
A. Mark Jellinek
Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Marwan A. Hassan
Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Carles Ferrer-Boix
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
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Sediment particles are transported along the bottom of rivers during floods. Descriptions of the transport process are commonly restricted to the strength of the water flow. In our research we use mathematical theory and data from laboratory experiments to explore whether sediment particles colliding with the river bed can help explain our observations of transport. We learn that particle collisions are likely an important component of the transport process and we offer thoughts for future work.
Juan P. Martín-Vide, Arnau Prats-Puntí, and Carles Ferrer-Boix
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An alluvial Mediterranean river changed its riverine and deltaic landscape. The delta has been heavily retreating (up to 800 m) for more than a century. We focus on the river, channelized in the last 50 years, trying to link its sandy sediment yield to the delta evolution. Sediment availability in the last 30 km of the river channel is deemed responsible for the decrease in the sediment yield to the delta. Sediment supply reduction to the coast jeopardizes the future of the delta and beaches.
Carina Helm, Marwan A. Hassan, and David Reid
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 913–929, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-913-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-913-2020, 2020
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Forested, gravel-bed streams possess complex channel morphologies which are difficult to objectively characterize. This paper describes a novel technique using a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) to characterize these systems below the forest canopy. The results demonstrate the accuracy and coverage of RPAs for objectively characterizing and classifying these systems relative to more traditional, time-consuming techniques that are generally used in these environments.
Matteo Saletti and Marwan A. Hassan
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 855–868, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-855-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-855-2020, 2020
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Mountain streams often display a stepped morphology but the conditions under which these steps form, remain stable, and eventually collapse are still not entirely clear. We run flume experiments to study how (a) the amount of sediment input and (b) channel width variations affect step dynamics in steep channels. Steps form preferentially in areas of flow convergence (channel narrowing) and their frequency is higher when sediment supply is larger than zero but smaller than the transport capacity.
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Short summary
Rivers with alternating patterns of shallow and deep flows are commonly observed where a river widens and then narrows, respectively. But what if width changes over time? We use a lab experiment to address this question and find it is possible to decrease and then increase river width at a specific location and observe that flows deepen and then shallow consistent with expectations. Our observations can inform river restoration and climate adaptation programs that emphasize river corridors.
Rivers with alternating patterns of shallow and deep flows are commonly observed where a river...
