三峡水库下游弯曲河型演变规律调整及其驱动机制

大型水库的兴建深刻改变了下游水沙输移特点,进而导致河床演变规律显著调整,水库下游弯曲河型对水沙过程改变响应敏感,是水库下游河床演变、航道整治、河势控制等方面研究的关键区域。本文基于1996-2016年的实测水文、地形资料,对长江三峡水库下游弯曲河型的演变规律及其驱动机制开展研究,结果表明：① 三峡水库蓄水前,下荆江存在“凸淤凹冲”、“凸冲凹淤”两类弯曲河型,而三峡水库蓄水后均表现为“凸冲凹淤”的一致性规律;② 在水库拦沙作用的影响下,下荆江河段平滩河槽存在累积性冲刷现象,冲刷部位集中于枯水河槽与基本河槽之间的低滩,冲淤部位调整主要由变化的流量过程所驱动,上游河势、河道边界以及支流入汇等因素均有一定驱动作用;③ 在三峡水库蓄水后缺乏大洪水的情况下,凸岸水流挟沙力随流量增加逐渐增强,水流对凸岸冲蚀力度在平滩流量级附近（20000~25000 m3/s）达到最强,平滩流量附近流量级的持续时间超过20天时,弯曲河道发生凸冲凹淤现象。而悬沙中造床粗沙的减少,增强了水流冲刷强度,加剧了凸岸的冲蚀程度。     

三峡水库运行下洞庭湖盆冲淤过程响应与水沙调控阈值

以1951-2011 年洞庭湖区及荆江段干流主要控制站实测径流输沙量资料为依据,分析三峡水库不同蓄水阶段及不同调度方式下洞庭湖盆冲/淤响应,并提出上游来水来沙调控阈值。结果表明：① 荆南三（四）口流量与枝城站流量、荆南三（四）口输沙率存在极显著正相关（p < 0.0001）,决定系数r2分别为0.859 及0.895。② 与三峡水库蓄水运用前（1999-2002）相比,一、二期蓄水阶段及全面试验性蓄水阶段（2008.10-2011.12）洞庭湖盆年均冲淤量由+4796.4×10⁴ t 依次递减为+684.1×10⁴ t、+449.8×10⁴ t 及-559.6×10⁴ t,湖盆冲淤率由+70.25%分别降至+31.13%、+23.56%及-42.64%。③ 预泄调度及蓄水调度期,湖盆泥沙均由以淤积为主转变为以冲刷为主,防洪补偿调度期湖盆泥沙表现为淤积,而在补水调度运用期则表现为冲刷。④ 洞庭湖盆处于冲/淤临界平衡状态时的荆南三口平均流量、输沙率及含沙量分别为970.81 m³/s、466.82 kg/s 及0.481 kg/m³。并认为,为增强湖泊调蓄功能,必须进一步优化三峡水库调度方式,合理调控下泄水沙量。     

三峡大坝下游水位变化与河道形态调整关系研究

三峡水库蓄水利用已有13年,对坝下游洪、枯水位和河道形态调整的影响已初步显现,通过对1955-2016年长江中游水位、河道地形等资料的分析,结果表明：① 坝下游各水文站同流量枯水位下降、洪水位变化不大,最低水位上升,最高水位下降趋势;② 2002年10月-2015年10月枯水河槽冲刷量占平滩河槽冲刷量的95.5%,冲淤分布由蓄水前“冲槽淤滩”转为“滩槽均冲”,不同蓄水阶段存在差异;③ 河槽冲刷过程中,上荆江及以上河段枯水位下降趋势趋缓,下荆江及以下河段下降速率增加,应采取防控措施遏制河道水位下降趋势;④ 枯水河槽冲刷是长江中下游航道水深提升的基础,枯水位降幅小于深槽下切深度,在河道和航道整治工程综合作用下航道尺度提升,提前5年实现了2020年航道尺度规划目标;⑤ 平滩水位以上河槽形态调整不大,在河床粗化、岸滩植被、人类活动等综合作用下河道综合阻力增加,出现了中洪水流量—高水位现象,应引起足够重视。三峡水库汛期调蓄作用可有效提升中下游洪水防御能力,但不排除遭遇支流洪水叠加效应,中下游洪水压力仍然较大。     

海勃湾枢纽对坝后河道冲淤的影响

随着黄河上游控制性水利枢纽相继投入运用,黄河内蒙古段河道冲淤演变格局得到重塑。利用水文站实测数据,系统分析了海勃湾水利枢纽建设运行前后坝后河道水沙变化特征。基于河道断面高程数据,从滩槽冲淤（横向）及沿程冲淤（纵向）两方面定性分析坝后河道形态变迁,采用断面地形法定量计算坝后河道冲淤变化量。结果表明：海勃湾水利枢纽蓄水运用后,坝后河道的水沙搭配条件显著改善,来沙系数、单位径流量的输沙量降幅较大,对坝后河道减淤冲刷作用明显。坝后河道横纵断面变迁以冲刷为主,冲淤演变过程经历了淤积（2004—2012年）、冲淤过渡（2012—2014年）、冲刷（2014—2020年）3个阶段。     

1570—1971年长江镇扬河段江心沙洲的演变过程及原因分析

受黄河夺淮的影响,从1570年开始淮河下游由向东独流入海逐渐演变为南下入江,成为长江一条支流。这一变化为长江河流地貌的演变增加了新的变量,改变了长江镇扬河段原有的河槽特征和水流结构,洲滩冲淤、岸线进退随之发生变化。本文使用历史文献考证与古地图判读相结合的研究方法,对淮河入江口外沙洲群的形成年代与演变过程进行考证,认为裕民洲、南新洲等沙洲至少在17世纪前已经存在于淮河入江口外,是成化、弘治年间藤料沙等沦没后新淤长的沙洲。淮河入江后上述沙洲不断扩大、与新淤长沙洲一起向北并岸,致使镇扬河段北汊消亡,并由江心洲型河床向弯曲型河床转化。曲流的形成又使位于上游凹岸的瓜洲受到侵蚀,而位于凸岸的镇江不断淤积,长江镇扬河段逐渐演变为今天的面貌。     

长江干流河道对流域输沙的调节作用

利用长江干流和主要支流上测站1956~2004年的输沙量资料,对干流未测区域的来沙进行了估计。根据泥沙平衡 (Sediment budget) 概念,对长江干流河道的冲淤对来水来沙的响应以及对入海泥沙的影响进行研究发现,长江干流屏山至大通河道平均淤积速率为88.58×10⁶ t/a,河道淤积占总的来沙量及大通站输沙量比例分别为14%与21%。由于河道淤积,大通站输沙量减少了17.5%。总体来说上游淤积较轻,宜昌至汉口区间淤积严重,汉口至大通区间为微冲。长江干流的河道冲淤与流域总的来沙具有显著的相关关系,但各段河道的冲淤对流域来沙的响应各不一样。上游的冲淤与流域的径流量和来沙量均没有很好的相关性,宜昌-汉口段河道冲淤的变化与宜昌站的来沙具有显著的相关性;影响汉口-大通间河道的冲淤变化的主要因素是流域的来水量,河道的冲淤与大通站径流量的存在显著的负相关关系。三峡水库蓄水后整个长江干流的冲淤形势发生了根本的变化。三峡水库的蓄水运用有效地减轻了洞庭湖的泥沙淤积,同时也降低了洞庭湖的对长江干流泥沙的调节作用;长江上游干流河道淤积增强,中下游河道出现冲刷,但不同的河段表现不一;中下游河道冲刷量小于预测值,三峡水库的蓄水运用直接导致了长江入海泥沙的减少。     

江苏淤泥质潮滩对海平面变化的形态响应

通过对江苏滨海平原淤泥质潮滩1980年以来19个固定潮滩断面112个测次滩面高程测量的统计分析，探讨典型淤泥质潮滩剖面形态对海平面变化的形态响应过程。结果表明，典型淤涨岸段海平面上升，多年平均潮位线以上滩面仍将淤积加高，但淤高幅度除多年平均高潮线附近滩面相对较大外，其余均较小，表明随海平面上升该滩带总体淤积速率将趋于减小；与此相反，多年平均潮位线以下滩面则趋于蚀低，且侵蚀强度较大，表明该滩带的侵蚀有加剧趋向，最终滩面总体形态将因上带不断淤高和下带不断蚀低而逐渐变陡，剖面上凸形态的曲率不断加大。曲型侵蚀岸段，海平面上升的效应则相反，海平面上升，多年平均潮位线以上滩面强烈蚀低；而多年平均潮位线以下滩面则强烈淤积加高，剖面的上凹形态最终将因上带不断蚀低和下带不断淤高而趋于平直。     

调水调沙以来黄河尾闾河道冲淤演变及其影响因素

2002年开始的黄河调水调沙改变了进入黄河口的水沙条件,必然引起尾闾河道地貌的显著调整。根据黄河尾闾河道利津以下的断面实测高程数据,建立基于正交曲线网格的河道DEM,结合河床形态与水沙条件变化,综合研究黄河尾闾河道冲淤的时空演变及其影响因素。结果表明,调水调沙以来尾闾河道冲刷明显,2002—2017年累计冲刷6240万m ³,根据冲淤速率可以分为3个阶段：快速冲刷阶段（2002—2005年）冲刷速率为1443万m ³/a;冲刷减慢阶段（2006—2014年）冲刷速率为139万m ³/a;以及淤积阶段（2015—2017年）,淤积速率为263万m ³/a。其中,调水调沙初始4年尾闾河道的冲刷量占总冲刷量的80%,2006年以后冲刷强度逐渐减弱,甚至转为淤积。从季节上看,主要表现为汛期冲刷,非汛期淤积;从空间上看,越往口门方向,冲刷强度越小。调水调沙改变了入海水沙的年内分配,造成了尾闾河道的持续冲刷,入海流路也发生多次调整。但经过多年冲刷,河床整体下切,加上河口淤积延伸影响,调水调沙对尾闾河道的冲刷效率在持续降低。受河口海域淤积影响,近口门段在经历冲刷后转为淤积,河道纵比降减缓,增加了尾闾的不稳定性。     

长江口北槽深水航道工程对周边滩涂冲淤影响研究

采用长江口深水航道治理一、二期工程实施前后的地形资料,在G IS软件及相关的统计分析软件的支持下,分析治理工程对九段沙(包括江亚南沙)和横沙东滩冲淤演变的影响。结果表明:工程建设6年来两岸滩涂面积增长了97 km²,其中横沙东滩优先采取了促淤工程,淤积规模较大,滩地面积累计增长了46 km²,是工程前的1.68倍;九段沙的淤积主要是受整治工程南导堤的影响,其中九段上沙及江亚南沙淤积最为强烈,工程后的面积分别是工程前的1.83倍和2.34倍。     

近10 年来长江口水下三角洲的冲淤变化 ——-兼论三峡工程蓄水的影响

根据对近10 年来长江入海泥沙量和河口冲淤的对比分析, 探讨水下三角洲冲淤对长江入海泥沙锐减以及三峡工程运行的响应。结果表明: (1) 三峡水库蓄水导致长江入海泥沙减少1×10⁸ t/a 量级; (2) 1995-2000 年、2000-2004 年和2004-2005 年研究区淤积(冲刷) 面积分别占75.5% (24.5%)、30.5% (69.5%) 和14% (86%), 垂向冲淤速率(负为冲刷) 分别为6.4 cm/a、-3.8 cm/a 和-21 cm/a。(3) 由于地形和水动力的变化以及工程的影响, 研究区内冲淤对河流来沙减少的响应存在显著空间差异。结论包括: 三峡水库蓄水加剧了长江入海泥沙的减少; 入海泥沙的锐减是水下三角洲从淤积为主向侵蚀为主转变的主要原因。随着水库拦沙能力的增强等流域人类活动的影响, 长江入海泥沙将进一步下降, 河口口门区的冲刷可能加剧, 值得有关部门重视。     

Quantitative relationship between channels and bars in a tidal reach of the lower Yangtze River: Implications for river management

Deep-water navigation channels in the tidal reaches of the lower Yangtze River are affected by water and sediment fluxes that produce complex shoals and unstable channel conditions. The Fujiangsha reach is particularly difficult to manage, as it has many braided channels within the tidal fluctuation zone. In this study, hydrologic and topographic data from the Fujiangsha reach from 2012 to 2017 were used to examine the variations in deposition and erosion, flow diversion, shoals, and channel conditions. Since the Three Gorges Dam became operational and water storage was initiated, the Fujiangsha reach has shown an overall tendency toward erosion. Channels deeper than 10 m accounted for 83.7% of the total erosion of the Fujiangsha reach during 2012–2017. Moreover, the dominant channel-forming sediments have gradually changed from suspended sediments to a mixed load of suspended and bed-load sediments. Deposition volumes of these sediments has varied significantly among different channels, but has mainly occurred in the Fubei channel. Furthermore, periodic variations in the Jingjiang point bar have followed a deposition-erosion-deposition pattern, and the downstream Shuangjian shoal mid-channel bar has been scoured and shortened. Approximately 44.0% of the bed load from the upstream Fujiangsha reach is deposited within the 12.5-m deep Fubei channel. The increased erosion and river flow from the Jingjiang point bar and the Shuangjian shoal during the flood season constituted 59.3% and 40.7%, respectively, of the total amount of siltation in the Fubei channel.     

三峡大坝对长江宜昌——城陵矶河道沙洲动力地貌演变的影响（英文）

Sandbars are of vital ecological and environmental significance, which however, have been intensively influenced by human activities. Morphodynamic processes of sandbars along the Yichang-Chenglingji Reach of the Changjiang River, the channel immediately downstream of the Three Gorges Dam(TGD), are assessed based on remote sensing images between 2000 and 2016. It can be found that the entire area of sandbars reduces drastically by 19.23% from 149.04 km~2 in 2003 to 120.38 km~2 in 2016, accompanied with an increase in water surface width. Owing to differences in sediment grain size and anti-erosion capacity, sandbar area in the upstream sandy gravel reach(Yichang-Dabujie) and downstream sandy reach(Dabujie-Chenglingji) respectively decreases by 45.94%(from 20.79 km~2 to 11.24 km~2) and 14.93%(from 128.30 km~2 to 109.14 km~2). Furtherly, morphological evolutions of sandbars are affected by channel type: in straight-microbend channel, mid-channel sandbars exhibit downstream moving while maintaining the basic profile; in meandering channel, point sandbars show erosion and deposition in convex and concave bank respectively, with mid-channel sandbars distributing sporadically; in bending-branching channel, point sandbars experience erosion and move downstream while mid-channel sandbars show erosion in the head part along with retreating outline. We document that the primary mechanism of sandbars shrinkages along the Yichang-Chenglingji Reach can be attributed to TGD induced suspended sediment concentration decreasing and increasing in unsaturation of sediment carrying capacity. Additionally, channel type can affect the morphological evolution of sandbars. Along the Yichang-Chenglingji Reach, sandbars in straight-microbend channel are more affected by water flow than that in bending-branching channel.     

Immediately downstream effects of Three Gorges Dam on channel sandbars morphodynamics between Yichang-Chenglingji Reach of the Changjiang River,China

Sandbars are of vital ecological and environmental significance, which however, have been intensively influenced by human activities. Morphodynamic processes of sandbars along the Yichang-Chenglingji Reach of the Changjiang River, the channel immediately downstream of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD), are assessed based on remote sensing images between 2000 and 2016. It can be found that the entire area of sandbars reduces drastically by 19.23% from 149.04 km² in 2003 to 120.38 km² in 2016, accompanied with an increase in water surface width. Owing to differences in sediment grain size and anti-erosion capacity, sandbar area in the upstream sandy gravel reach (Yichang-Dabujie) and downstream sandy reach (Dabujie-Chenglingji) respectively decreases by 45.94% (from 20.79 km² to 11.24 km²) and 14.93% (from 128.30 km² to 109.14 km²). Furtherly, morphological evolutions of sandbars are affected by channel type: in straight-microbend channel, mid-channel sandbars exhibit downstream moving while maintaining the basic profile; in meandering channel, point sandbars show erosion and deposition in convex and concave bank respectively, with mid-channel sandbars distributing sporadically; in bending-branching channel, point sandbars experience erosion and move downstream while mid-channel sandbars show erosion in the head part along with retreating outline. We document that the primary mechanism of sandbars shrinkages along the Yichang-Chenglingji Reach can be attributed to TGD induced suspended sediment concentration decreasing and increasing in unsaturation of sediment carrying capacity. Additionally, channel type can affect the morphological evolution of sandbars. Along the Yichang-Chenglingji Reach, sandbars in straight-microbend channel are more affected by water flow than that in bending-branching channel.     

Bank Erosion in Fifteen Tributaries in the Glaciated Upper Susquehanna Basin of New York and Pennsylvania

The proportional contributions of cultivated lands and stream banks as sources of fine sediment loads were quantified in 15 rural watersheds in the Glaciated Appalachian Plateau region of the Susquehanna River basin of New York and Pennsylvania. We utilized a relatively simple method of fingerprinting sediment sources by comparing the concentrations of the nuclear bomb-derived radionuclide ¹³⁷ Cs in fluvial sediment samples collected from channel margins with sediment from cultivated fields and stream banks. The proportion of fine sediment from bank erosion ranged from none to 100% in the study tributaries, with a median contribution of 53% across the 15 study streams. In one stream with no evidence of bank sediment, anomalously high ¹³⁷ Cs levels in the samples indicated that the sources were pasture or forest, probably scoured from marshy floodplains upstream of the sampling sites. In the 14 other streams, cultivated lands accounted for an average of 42% of the fine sediment. We discuss sources of eroded bank material and the processes driving stream bank erosion in this glaciated region, and examine the impact of historic mill-dam deposits on bank erosion.     

多因素对三峡水库下游弯曲河型演变的迭加效应（英文）

Elucidating the influence of dams on fluvial processes can inform river protection and basin management.However,relatively few studies have focused on how multiple factors interact to affect the morphological evolution of meandering reaches.Using hydrological and topographical data,we analyzed the factors that influence and regulate the meandering reaches downstream the Three Gorges Dam(TGD).Our conclusions are as follows.(1)The meandering reaches can be classified into two types based on their evolution during the pre-dam period:G1 reaches,characterized by convex point bar erosion and concave channel deposition(CECD),and G2 reaches,characterized by convex point bar deposition and concave channel erosion(CDCE).Both reach types exhibited CECD features during the post-dam period.(2)Flow processes and sediment transport are the factors that caused serious erosion of the low beaches located in the convex point bars.However,changes in the river regime,river boundaries and jacking of Dongting Lake do not act as primary controls on the morphological evolution of the meandering reaches.(3)Flood discharges ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 m3/s result in greater erosion of convex point bars.The point bars become scoured if the durations of these flows,which are close to bankfull discharge,exceed 20 days.In addition,the reduction in bedload causes the decreasing of point bar siltation in the water-falling period.(4)During the post-dam period,flood abatement,the increased duration of discharges ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 m3/s,and a significant reduction in sediment transport are the main factors that caused meandering reaches to show CECD features.Our results are relevant to other meandering reaches,where they can inform estimates of riverbed change,river management strategies and river protection.     

Interacting effects of multiple factors on the morphological evolution of the meandering reaches downstream the Three Gorges Dam

Elucidating the influence of dams on fluvial processes can inform river protection and basin management. However, relatively few studies have focused on how multiple factors interact to affect the morphological evolution of meandering reaches. Using hydrological and topographical data, we analyzed the factors that influence and regulate the meandering reaches downstream the Three Gorges Dam (TGD). Our conclusions are as follows. (1) The meandering reaches can be classified into two types based on their evolution during the pre-dam period: G1 reaches, characterized by convex point bar erosion and concave channel deposition (CECD), and G2 reaches, characterized by convex point bar deposition and concave channel erosion (CDCE). Both reach types exhibited CECD features during the post-dam period. (2) Flow processes and sediment transport are the factors that caused serious erosion of the low beaches located in the convex point bars. However, changes in the river regime, river boundaries and jacking of Dongting Lake do not act as primary controls on the morphological evolution of the meandering reaches. (3) Flood discharges ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 m³/s result in greater erosion of convex point bars. The point bars become scoured if the durations of these flows, which are close to bankfull discharge, exceed 20 days. In addition, the reduction in bedload causes the decreasing of point bar siltation in the water-falling period. (4) During the post-dam period, flood abatement, the increased duration of discharges ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 m³/s, and a significant reduction in sediment transport are the main factors that caused meandering reaches to show CECD features. Our results are relevant to other meandering reaches, where they can inform estimates of riverbed change, river management strategies and river protection.     

Mechanisms of suspended sediment restoration and bed level compensation in downstream reaches of the Three Gorges Projects (TGP)

River basin reservoir construction affects water and sediment transport processes in downstream reaches. The downstream impact of the Three Gorges Projects (TGP) has started to become apparent: (1) reduction in flood duration and discharge, and significant reduction in sediment load. Although there was some restoration in downstream sediment load, the total amount did not exceed the pre-impoundment annual average; (2) in 2003–2014, the d > 0.125 mm (coarse sand) load was restored to some degree, and to a maximum at Jianli Station, which was mainly at the pre-impoundment average. After restoration, erosion and deposition characteristics of the sediment was identical to that before impoundment. The degree of restoration during 2008–2014 was less than during 2003–2007; (3) after TGP impoundment, there was some restoration in d < 0.125 mm (fine sand) sediment load, however, it was lower than the pre-impoundment average; (4) due to riverbed compensation, the d > 0.125 mm sediment load recovered to a certain degree after impoundment, however, the total did not exceed 4400×10⁴ t/y. This was mainly limited by flood duration and the average flow rate, and was less affected by upstream main stream, tributaries, or lakes. Restoration of d < 0.125 mm suspended sediment was largely controlled by upstream main stream, tributaries, and lakes, as well as by riverbed compensation. Due to bed armoring, riverbed fine suspended sediment compensation capability was weakened; (5) during 2003–2007 and 2008–2014, Yichang to Zhicheng and upper Jingjiang experienced coarse and fine erosion, lower Jingjiang experienced coarse deposition and fine erosion, Hankou to Datong had coarse deposition and fine erosion, and Chenglingji and Hankou was characterized by coarse deposition and fine sand erosion in 2003–2007, and coarse and fine erosion in 2008–2014. This difference was controlled by flood duration and number at Luoshan Station.     

The relationship between water level change and river channel geometry adjustment in the downstream of the Three Gorges Dam

In this study, data measured from 1955-2016 were analysed to study the relationship between the water level and river channel geometry adjustment in the downstream of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) after the impoundment of the dam. The results highlight the following facts: (1) for the same flow, the low water level decreased, flood water level changed little, lowest water level increased, and highest water level decreased at the hydrological stations in the downstream of the dam; (2) the distribution of erosion and deposition along the river channel changed from “erosion at channels and deposition at bankfulls” to “erosion at both channels and bankfulls;” the ratio of low-water channel erosion to bankfull channel erosion was 95.5% from October 2002 to October 2015, with variations between different impoundment stages; (3) the low water level decrease slowed down during the channel erosion in the Upper Jingjiang reach and reaches upstream but sped up in the Lower Jingjiang reach and reaches downstream; measures should be taken to prevent the decrease in the channel water level; (4) erosion was the basis for channel dimension upscaling in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River; the low water level decrease was smaller than the thalweg decline; both channel water depth and width increased under the combined effects of channel and waterway regulations; and (5) the geometry of the channels above bankfulls did not significantly change; however, the comprehensive channel resistance increased under the combined effects of riverbed coarsening, beach vegetation, and human activities; as a result, the flood water level increased markedly and moderate flood to high water level phenomena occurred, which should be considered. The Three Gorges Reservoir effectively enhances the flood defense capacity of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River; however, the superposition effect of tributary floods cannot be ruled out.     

Hydraulic and sedimentary processes causing anastomosing morphology of the upper Columbia River, British Columbia, Canada

The upper Columbia River, British Columbia, Canada, shows typical anastomosing morphology — multiple interconnected channels that enclose floodbasins — and lateral channel stability. We analysed field data on hydraulic and sedimentary processes and show that the anastomosing morphology of the upper Columbia River is caused by sediment (bedload) transport inefficiency, in combination with very limited potential for lateral bank erosion because of very low specific stream power (≤ 2.3 W/m²) and cohesive silty banks. In a diagram of channel type in relation to flow energy and median grain size of the bed material, data points for the straight upper Columbia River channels cluster separately from the data points for braided and meandering channels. Measurements and calculations indicate that bedload transport in the anastomosing reach of the upper Columbia River decreases downstream. Because of lateral channel stability no lateral storage capacity for bedload is created. Therefore, the surplus of bedload leads to channel bed aggradation, which outpaces levee accretion and causes avulsions because of loss of channel flow capacity. This avulsion mechanism applies only to the main channel of the system, which transports 87% of the water and > 90% of the sediment in the cross-valley transect studied. Because of very low sediment transport capacity, the morphological evolution of most secondary channels is slow. Measurements and calculations indicate that much more bedload is sequestered in the relatively steep upper anastomosing reach of the upper Columbia River than in the relatively gentle lower anastomosing reach. With anastomosing morphology and related processes (e.g., crevassing) being best developed in the upper reach, this confirms the notion of upstream rather than downstream control of upper Columbia River anastomosis.