Avulsions in a Simulated Large Lowland Braided River

Abstract

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.