Articles | Volume 4, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-685-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-685-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
29 Aug 2016
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 29 Aug 2016
Gravel threshold of motion: a state function of sediment transport disequilibrium?
Joel P. L. Johnson
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
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Cited
39 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Modeling memory in gravel-bed rivers: a flow-history-dependent relation for evolving thresholds of motion C. Masteller et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-593-2025
- The Role of Bedload Transport in the Development of a Proglacial River Alluvial Fan (Case Study: Scott River, Southwest Svalbard) W. Kociuba https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology8040173
- Coupling 2D hydro-sedimentary modelling with tracer-based flow competence estimation to determine critical bed shear stress G. Piasny et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.109966
- Estimation of Bedload Yield in Mountain Streams Using Field Observation Data and Machine Learning Techniques T. Kim et al. https://doi.org/10.9798/KOSHAM.2025.25.6.185
- The trouble with shear stress E. Yager et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.09.008
- The influence of bedrock river morphology and alluvial cover on gravel entrainment. Part 2: Modelling critical shear stress R. Hodge & M. Buechel https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5462
- Experimental Insights Into the Threshold of Motion in Alluvial Channels: Sediment Supply and Streambed State M. Hassan et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JF005736
- Inertial drag and lift forces for coarse grains on rough alluvial beds measured using in-grain accelerometers G. Maniatis et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-1067-2020
- Resistance Is Not Futile: Grain Resistance Controls on Observed Critical Shields Stress Variations E. Yager et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JF004817
- Experimental Study of Transient Bedload Transport during Flash Floods with Bores S. Thappeta et al. https://doi.org/10.1061/JHEND8.HYENG-14446
- The SPACE 1.0 model: a Landlab component for 2-D calculation of sediment transport, bedrock erosion, and landscape evolution C. Shobe et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-10-4577-2017
- Physical Controls on Salmon Redd Site Selection in Restored Reaches of a Regulated, Gravel‐Bed River L. Harrison et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR024428
- Effect of Sediment Supply on Cyclic Fluctuations of the Disequilibrium Ratio and Threshold Transport Discharge, Inferred From Bedload Transport Measurements Over 27 Years at the Swiss Erlenbach Stream D. Rickenmann https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR027741
- Gravel threshold of motion: a state function of sediment transport disequilibrium? J. Johnson https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-685-2016
- Limits to scale invariance in alluvial rivers R. Ferguson https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5006
- SEDIMENT TRANSPORT MODEL FOR MOUNTAINOUS AREA CONSIDERING RIVER WIDTH EXPANSION DUE TO BANK EROSION AND HIDING EFFECT R. KIDO et al. https://doi.org/10.2208/jscejj.24-16056
- Quantifying Predictive Uncertainty and Feature Selection in River Bed Load Estimation: A Multi-Model Machine Learning Approach with Particle Swarm Optimization X. Le et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16141945
- Earthcasting: Geomorphic Forecasts for Society B. Ferdowsi et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EF002088
- Effect of stress history on sediment transport and channel adjustment in graded gravel-bed rivers C. An et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-333-2021
- RiverBedDynamics v1.0: a Landlab component for computing two-dimensional sediment transport and river bed evolution A. Monsalve et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-3427-2025
- On How Episodic Sediment Supply Influences the Evolution of Channel Morphology, Bedload Transport and Channel Stability in an Experimental Step‐Pool Channel J. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR029133
- Morphological Response of an Alpine Braided Reach to Sediment‐Laden Flow Events M. Bakker et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JF004811
- Inverting Topography for Landscape Evolution Model Process Representation: 3. Determining Parameter Ranges for Select Mature Geomorphic Transport Laws and Connecting Changes in Fluvial Erodibility to Changes in Climate K. Barnhart et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JF005287
- Pro+: Automated protrusion and critical shear stress estimates from 3D point clouds of gravel beds E. Yager et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5822
- Toward bed state morphodynamics in gravel-bed rivers D. Adams https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133320900924
- Morphodynamics of Boulder‐Bed Semi‐Alluvial Streams in Northern Fennoscandia: A Flume Experiment to Determine Sediment Self‐Organization L. Polvi https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR028859
- Improving predictions of critical shear stress in gravel bed rivers: Identifying the onset of sediment transport and quantifying sediment structure R. Hodge et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5842
- A Unified Approach to Bed Load Transport Description Over a Wide Range of Flow Conditions via the Use of Conditional Data Treatment W. Shih & P. Diplas https://doi.org/10.1029/2017WR022373
- Grain Size Distribution of Bedload Transport in a Glaciated Catchment (Baranowski Glacier, King George Island, Western Antarctica) J. Sziło & R. Bialik https://doi.org/10.3390/w10040360
- History‐Dependent Threshold for Motion Revealed by Continuous Bedload Transport Measurements in a Steep Mountain Stream C. Masteller et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL081325
- A Granular Physics‐Based View of Fault Friction Experiments B. Ferdowsi & A. Rubin https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB019016
- Impacts of magnitude and texture of variable sediment supply on bedload transport Q. Zhou et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-024-01364-w
- Regional Variation in Gravel Riverbed Mobility, Controlled by Hydrologic Regime and Sediment Supply A. Pfeiffer & N. Finnegan https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL076747
- Sediment traps with guiding channel and hybrid check dams improve controlled sediment retention S. Schwindt et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-18-647-2018
- Beyond Stationarity: Influence of Flow History and Sediment Supply on Coarse Bedload Transport P. Downs & P. Soar https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR027774
- At-a-site and between-site variability of bedload transport, inferred from continuous surrogate monitoring, and comparison to predictive equations D. Rickenmann https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-14-115-2026
- Geomorphic Evolution of a Gravel‐Bed River Under Sediment‐Starved Versus Sediment‐Rich Conditions: River Response to the World's Largest Dam Removal A. East et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JF004703
- Smartrock Transport in a Mountain Stream: Bedload Hysteresis and Changing Thresholds of Motion K. Pretzlav et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR028150
- Bankfull Transport Capacity and the Threshold of Motion in Coarse‐Grained Rivers C. Phillips & D. Jerolmack https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR025455
39 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Modeling memory in gravel-bed rivers: a flow-history-dependent relation for evolving thresholds of motion C. Masteller et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-593-2025
- The Role of Bedload Transport in the Development of a Proglacial River Alluvial Fan (Case Study: Scott River, Southwest Svalbard) W. Kociuba https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology8040173
- Coupling 2D hydro-sedimentary modelling with tracer-based flow competence estimation to determine critical bed shear stress G. Piasny et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.109966
- Estimation of Bedload Yield in Mountain Streams Using Field Observation Data and Machine Learning Techniques T. Kim et al. https://doi.org/10.9798/KOSHAM.2025.25.6.185
- The trouble with shear stress E. Yager et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.09.008
- The influence of bedrock river morphology and alluvial cover on gravel entrainment. Part 2: Modelling critical shear stress R. Hodge & M. Buechel https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5462
- Experimental Insights Into the Threshold of Motion in Alluvial Channels: Sediment Supply and Streambed State M. Hassan et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JF005736
- Inertial drag and lift forces for coarse grains on rough alluvial beds measured using in-grain accelerometers G. Maniatis et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-1067-2020
- Resistance Is Not Futile: Grain Resistance Controls on Observed Critical Shields Stress Variations E. Yager et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JF004817
- Experimental Study of Transient Bedload Transport during Flash Floods with Bores S. Thappeta et al. https://doi.org/10.1061/JHEND8.HYENG-14446
- The SPACE 1.0 model: a Landlab component for 2-D calculation of sediment transport, bedrock erosion, and landscape evolution C. Shobe et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-10-4577-2017
- Physical Controls on Salmon Redd Site Selection in Restored Reaches of a Regulated, Gravel‐Bed River L. Harrison et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR024428
- Effect of Sediment Supply on Cyclic Fluctuations of the Disequilibrium Ratio and Threshold Transport Discharge, Inferred From Bedload Transport Measurements Over 27 Years at the Swiss Erlenbach Stream D. Rickenmann https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR027741
- Gravel threshold of motion: a state function of sediment transport disequilibrium? J. Johnson https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-685-2016
- Limits to scale invariance in alluvial rivers R. Ferguson https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5006
- SEDIMENT TRANSPORT MODEL FOR MOUNTAINOUS AREA CONSIDERING RIVER WIDTH EXPANSION DUE TO BANK EROSION AND HIDING EFFECT R. KIDO et al. https://doi.org/10.2208/jscejj.24-16056
- Quantifying Predictive Uncertainty and Feature Selection in River Bed Load Estimation: A Multi-Model Machine Learning Approach with Particle Swarm Optimization X. Le et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16141945
- Earthcasting: Geomorphic Forecasts for Society B. Ferdowsi et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EF002088
- Effect of stress history on sediment transport and channel adjustment in graded gravel-bed rivers C. An et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-333-2021
- RiverBedDynamics v1.0: a Landlab component for computing two-dimensional sediment transport and river bed evolution A. Monsalve et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-3427-2025
- On How Episodic Sediment Supply Influences the Evolution of Channel Morphology, Bedload Transport and Channel Stability in an Experimental Step‐Pool Channel J. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR029133
- Morphological Response of an Alpine Braided Reach to Sediment‐Laden Flow Events M. Bakker et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JF004811
- Inverting Topography for Landscape Evolution Model Process Representation: 3. Determining Parameter Ranges for Select Mature Geomorphic Transport Laws and Connecting Changes in Fluvial Erodibility to Changes in Climate K. Barnhart et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JF005287
- Pro+: Automated protrusion and critical shear stress estimates from 3D point clouds of gravel beds E. Yager et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5822
- Toward bed state morphodynamics in gravel-bed rivers D. Adams https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133320900924
- Morphodynamics of Boulder‐Bed Semi‐Alluvial Streams in Northern Fennoscandia: A Flume Experiment to Determine Sediment Self‐Organization L. Polvi https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR028859
- Improving predictions of critical shear stress in gravel bed rivers: Identifying the onset of sediment transport and quantifying sediment structure R. Hodge et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5842
- A Unified Approach to Bed Load Transport Description Over a Wide Range of Flow Conditions via the Use of Conditional Data Treatment W. Shih & P. Diplas https://doi.org/10.1029/2017WR022373
- Grain Size Distribution of Bedload Transport in a Glaciated Catchment (Baranowski Glacier, King George Island, Western Antarctica) J. Sziło & R. Bialik https://doi.org/10.3390/w10040360
- History‐Dependent Threshold for Motion Revealed by Continuous Bedload Transport Measurements in a Steep Mountain Stream C. Masteller et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL081325
- A Granular Physics‐Based View of Fault Friction Experiments B. Ferdowsi & A. Rubin https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB019016
- Impacts of magnitude and texture of variable sediment supply on bedload transport Q. Zhou et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-024-01364-w
- Regional Variation in Gravel Riverbed Mobility, Controlled by Hydrologic Regime and Sediment Supply A. Pfeiffer & N. Finnegan https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL076747
- Sediment traps with guiding channel and hybrid check dams improve controlled sediment retention S. Schwindt et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-18-647-2018
- Beyond Stationarity: Influence of Flow History and Sediment Supply on Coarse Bedload Transport P. Downs & P. Soar https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR027774
- At-a-site and between-site variability of bedload transport, inferred from continuous surrogate monitoring, and comparison to predictive equations D. Rickenmann https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-14-115-2026
- Geomorphic Evolution of a Gravel‐Bed River Under Sediment‐Starved Versus Sediment‐Rich Conditions: River Response to the World's Largest Dam Removal A. East et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JF004703
- Smartrock Transport in a Mountain Stream: Bedload Hysteresis and Changing Thresholds of Motion K. Pretzlav et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR028150
- Bankfull Transport Capacity and the Threshold of Motion in Coarse‐Grained Rivers C. Phillips & D. Jerolmack https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR025455
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 17 Sep 2026
Short summary
Accurately predicting gravel transport rates in mountain rivers is difficult because of feedbacks with channel morphology. River bed surfaces evolve during floods, influencing transport rates. I propose that the threshold of gravel motion is a state variable for channel reach evolution. I develop a new model to predict how transport thresholds evolve as a function of transport rate, and then use laboratory flume experiments to calibrate and validate the model.
Accurately predicting gravel transport rates in mountain rivers is difficult because of...
