Effects of coarse woody debris on morphology and sediment storage of a mountain stream system in western Oregon

Effects of coarse woody debris (CWD) on channel morphology and sediment storage were investigated at five sites, representative of first-order to fifth-order streams. In the steep and bedrock-confined stream (first-second order), interaction between the channel and CWD was limited, except where breakage upon falling produced CWD pieces shorter than channel width. Channel widening, steepening and sediment storage associated with CWD were observed predominantly in third- to fifth-order streams. Variation in channel width and gradient was regulated by CWD. In the fifth-order stream, most of the CWD pieces derived from the riparian forest interacted directly with the channel without being suspended by sideslopes. In this system CWD promoted lateral channel migration, but sediment storage was temporary, with annual release and capture.     

Effects of large organic material on channel form and fluvial processes

Stream channel development in forested areas is profoundly influenced by large organic debris (logs, limbs and rootwads greater than 10 cm in diameter) in the channels. In low gradient meandering streams large organic debris enters the channel through bank erosion, mass wasting, blowdown, and collapse of trees due to ice loading. In small streams large organic debris may locally influence channel morphology and sediment transport processes because the stream may not have the competency to redistribute the debris. In larger streams flowing water may move large organic debris, concentrating it into distinct accumulations (debris jams). Organic debris may greatly affect channel form and process by: increasing or decreasing stability of stream banks; influencing development of midchannel bars and short braided reaches; and facilitating, with other favourable circumstances, development of meander cutoffs. In steep gradient mountain streams organic debris may enter the channel by all the processes mentioned for low gradient streams. In addition, considerable debris may also enter the channel by way of debris avalanches or debris torrents. In small to intermediate size mountain streams with steep valley walls and little or no floodplain or flat valley floor, the effects of large organic debris on the fluvial processes and channel form may be very significant. Debris jams may locally accelerate or retard channel bed and bank erosion and/or deposition; create sites for significant sediment storage; and produce a stepped channel profile, herein referred to as ‘organic stepping’, which provides for variable channel morphology and flow conditions. The effect of live or dead trees anchored by rootwads into the stream bank may not only greatly retard bank erosion but also influence channel width and the development of small scour holes along the channel beneath tree roots. Once trees fall into the stream, their influence on the channel form and process may be quite different than when they were defending the banks, and, depending on the size of the debris, size of the stream, and many other factors, their effects range from insignificant to very important.     

HYDROLOGICAL RESPONSE OF SMALL WATERSHEDS FOLLOWING THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PAINTED CAVE FIRE OF JUNE 1990

Following the Painted Cave Fire of 25 June 1990 in Santa Barbara, California which burned 1214 ha, an emergency watershed protection plan was implemented consisting of stream clearing, grade stabilizers and construction of debris basins. Research was initiated focusing on hydrological response and channel morphology changes on two branches of Maria Ygnacio Creek, the main drainage of the burned area. Research results support the hypothesis that the response of small drainage basins in chaparral ecosystems to wildfire is complex and flushing of sediment by fluvial processes is more likely than by high magnitude debris flows. During the winter of 1990–1991, 35–66 cm of rainfall and intensities up to 10 cm per hour for a five-minute period were recorded with a seasonal total of 100% of average (normal) rainfall (average=63 cm/year). During the winter of 1991–1992, 48–74 cm of rainfall and intensities up to 8 cm per hour were recorded with a seasonal total of 115% of normal. Even though there was moderate rainfall on barren, saturated soils, no major debris flows occurred in burned areas. The winter of 1992–1993 recorded total precipitation of about 170% of normal, annual average intensities were relatively low and again no debris flows were observed. The response to winter storms in the first three years following the fire was a moderate but spectacular flushing of sediment, most of which was derived from the hillslopes upstream of the debris basins. The first significant storm and stream flow of the 1990–1991 winter was transport-limited resulting in large volumes of sediment being deposited in the channel of Maria Ygnacio Creek; the second storm and stream flow was sediment-limited and the channel scoured. Debris basins trapped about 23 000 m³, the majority coming from the storm of 17–20 March 1991. Sediment transported downstream during the three winters following the fire and not trapped in the debris basins was eventually flushed to the estuarine reaches of the creeks below the burn area, where approximately 108 000 m³ accumulated. Changes in stream morphology following the fire were dramatic as pools filled with sediment which greatly smoothed longitudinal and cross-sectional profiles. Major changes in channel morphology occur following a fire as sediment derived from the hillslope is temporarily stored in channels within the burned area. However, this sediment may quickly move downstream of the burned region, where it may accumulate reducing channel capacity and increasing the flood hazard. Ecological consequences of wildfire to the riparian zone of streams in the chaparral environment are virtually unknown, but must be significant as the majority of sediment (particularly gravel necessary for fish and other aquatic organisms) entering the system does so in response to fires. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects on bedload transport of experimental removal of woody debris from a forest gravel-bed stream

Experimental removal of woody debris from a small, gravel-bed stream in a forested area resulted in a four-fold increase in bedload transport at bankfull discharge. This was caused by increased transportability of sediment previously stored upslope of debris buttresses or in low-energy hydraulic environments related to debris. Bank erosion delivered additional sediment to the channel, and transport energy was increased by an inferred increase in the component of total boundary shear stress affecting grains on the bed. Increased transport following debris removal in May 1987 continued throughout the entire autumn storm season through late November 1987, indicating persistent adjustment of the stream bed and banks despite marked response to earlier flows as large as bankfull. Stream bed adjustments included development of a semi-regular sequence of alternate bars and pools, many of which were spaced independently of former pool locations.     

The influence of organic debris on channel morphology and bedload transport in a New Zealand forest stream

The behaviour and form of, and bedload sediment transport through, a 3.5 m wide forest stream have been monitored for nearly three years. Bedload transport is highly episodic and spatially variable, and is controlled less by water discharge than by sediment availability. Organic debris in the channel creates temporary base levels and sites at which coarse sediment may remain stored for long periods; collapse or disruption of log and debris jams makes sediment available for transport in only a small proportion of the runoff events that are actually competent to move the material. Even then, sediment travels only a short distance before being redeposited, frequently behind debris accumulations further downstream. Rates of sediment transport during a given runoff event can vary markedly over short distances along the stream, again depending on whether sediment was made available for transport by log jam collapse upstream. Organic debris is therefore a major constraint on the application of physical laws and theories to explaining sediment movement in, and the morphology of, this stream.     

The influence of debris flows on channels and valley floors in the Oregon Coast Range,U.S.A.

Debris flows are one of the most important processes which influence the morphology of channels and valley floors in the Oregon Coast Range. Debris flows that initiate in bedrock hollows at heads of first-order basins erode the long-accumulated sediment and organic debris from the floors of headwater, first- and second-order channels. This material is deposited on valley floors in the form of fans, levees, and terraces. In channels, deposits of debris flows control the distribution of boulders. The stochastic nature of sediment supply to alluvial channels by debris flows promotes cycling between channel aggradation which results in a gravel-bed morphology, and channel degradation which results in a mixed bedrock- and boulder-bed morphology. Temporal and spatial variability of channel-bed morphology is expected in other landscapes where debris flows are an important process.     

The distribution of large woody debris accumulations and pools in relation to woodland stream management in a small,low-gradient stream

This paper focuses upon the natural dynamics of large woody debris (LWD), the impact of management on LWD dynamics, and the impact of LWD removal and channelization on the distribution and size of pools in a British, second to third order, headwater catchment. The study stream is rather different from those subject to LWD accumulations which have been studied in North America. The most important contrast is that it is surrounded by predominantly deciduous rather than coniferous woodland. In terms of its width (1·8–4·5 m) and gradient 0·013 m m⁻¹), it falls within the lower range of channels studied in North America. Nevertheless, there are similarities in LWD dam and pool spacing with some North American studies. The information on LWD dynamics during a period without management and on recovery of LWD dams after clearance covers a 16 year period (1982–1997). The paper illustrates that seven to eight years after clearance the total number of LWD dams has recovered but the most hydraulically active dam type has not recovered to pre-clearance levels. An analysis of geomorphological maps of the channel surveyed in 1982 and 1996/97 shows an overall decrease in the number and size of pools along the section that was cleared of LWD dams. The magnitude of the decrease and the associated adjustments in pools through changes in their size and location differ according to location with respect to a section of the study stream which was channelized in c. 1966 and which has subsequently incised its bed. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

MULTIVARIATE GEOMORPHIC ANALYSIS OF FOREST STREAMS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ASSESSMENT OF LAND USE IMPACTS ON CHANNEL CONDITION

Multivariate statistical analyses of geomorphic variables from 23 forest stream reaches in southeast Alaska result in successful discrimination between pristine streams and those disturbed by land management, specifically timber harvesting and associated road building. Results of discriminant function analysis indicate that a three-variable model discriminates 10 disturbed from 13 undisturbed reaches with 90 per cent and 92 per cent correct classification respectively. These variables are the total number of pools per reach, the ratio of mean residual pool depth to mean bankfull depth, and the ratio of critical shear stress of the median surface grain size to bankfull shear stress. The last variable can be dropped without a decrease in rate of correct classification; however, the resulting two-variable model may be less robust. Analysis of the distribution of channel units, including pool types, can also be used to discriminate disturbed from undisturbed reaches and is particularly useful for assessment of aquatic habitat condition. However, channel unit classification and inventory can be subject to considerable error and observer bias. Abundance of pool-related large woody debris is highly correlated with pool frequency and is an important factor determining channel morphology. Results of this study yield a much needed, objective, geomorphic discrimination of pristine and disturbed channel conditions, providing a reference standard for channel assessment and restoration efforts.     

Threshold response of small streams to surface coal mining,bituminous coal fields,central Pennsylvania

Stream response to surface coal mining and reclamation was studied in 29 small (0·13 to 5·72 km²) watersheds located in the bituminous coal fields of Central Pennsylvania. These basins, up to 82 per cent mined, were selected from 176 first-order tributaries of Beech Creek with similar vegetation, soil, lithology, and basin characteristics. Measurements were made at 262 cross-sections (an average of nine cross-sections per stream) of channel cross-section area, bankfull width, mean bankfull depth, dimensions of the largest moving blocks, stream slope, valley-side slope, basin area, and mined area. Observed differences in channel morphology were related to differences in extent of mining by means of scatter plots, correlation, cluster analysis, and bivariate regression. Stream response to increased peak discharge and channel shear stress produced by increased surface runoff from regraded mine spoil takes the form of enlarged channels and increases in the size of moving blocks. Large basin areas appear to dampen the effect of mining, resulting in limited channel enlargement with greater extent of mining. In contrast, where peak discharges and associated shear stresses exceed the combined erosional resistance of floodplain vegetation, colluvial blocks, and channel banks, streams adjust extensively to higher levels of mining, causing an abrupt increase in the size of transported blocks and eroded channels. In the first-order basins studied, this stepped response occurs at approximately 0·45 km² mined area and 50 per cent of the total basin area mined. For streams that have exceeded both threshold levels, disequilibrium is demonstrated by a strong, positive correlation between local stream slope and basin area. Where both threshold levels of mining are exceeded, steep channel slopes reinforce the tendency of stream cross-sections to increase with greater disturbance by mining, necessitating that these streams rapidly adjust their morphology in order to attain a new equilibrium which is compatible with the conditions imposed by mining and reclamation.     

The challenge of modeling pool–riffle morphologies in channels with different densities of large woody debris and boulders

Studies on pool morphologies include reports of over 80% or 90% of pools being associated with structural controls and large obstructions that include boulders, bedrock outcrops and large woody debris (LWD). A Monte Carlo simulation approach and developmental computer model was created to predict pool formation, spacing and the percentage length covered by pools, riffles, scour holes and runs based on input data that include channel slope, width, the number of small and large boulders, and the number of 10–30 cm, 30–60 cm and >60 cm pieces of wood. The statistical‐empirical model is founded on the idea that boulders, bedrock outcrops and large woody debris provide a physical framework that then controls local water‐surface slopes, velocity patterns and the locations of pools and riffles. The spacing values of individual types and sizes of obstructions are modeled as log‐normal distributions with separate distributions for each obstruction type. Pools are assigned different probabilities of development depending on the obstruction type. Pool and riffle lengths used to create the subsequent morphology follow their own slope‐dependent, log‐normal trends. A minimum distance develops between successive pools because of the backwater and turbulent conditions needed for pool formation. The total number and spacing of pools, riffles and scour holes thus reflects the number and locations of obstructions and characteristics of the pool–riffle couplet. The simulation model accurately captures the number of pools in the modeled data range at 65% of all the verification field sites, and 86% of the verification field sites with a more limited range of width and slope characteristics. Lower levels of prediction capabilities are associated with modeled numbers of scour holes and log jams. The model accurately mimics some statistical attributes of pool spacing, and future versions of the model could be developed to improve overall predictive capabilities. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic model for constriction scour caused by large woody debris

Large woody debris (LWD) can have a significant impact upon local channel morphology by creating scour pools and zones of reduced shear stress in which sediment is deposited. It is important to predict scour depths associated with LWD, as it is becoming increasingly common for debris to be added into river channels to improve sediment retention and create pools for aquatic habitat. Engineered log‐jams should therefore be designed using factor of safety engineering analysis, which includes estimates of associated scour and deposition rates. However, the rate and total depth of scour associated with LWD have not been modelled comprehensively, with authors resorting to the use of generic local and constriction scour models to predict scour depths. Also, constriction scour models presented, to date, do not calculate the rate of scour development. In this paper a model is presented for predicting the rate and total depth of scour associated with a channel constriction. The model is one‐dimensional and is based upon the sediment continuity equation, the calculation of specific head changes through the constricted reach and also allows for a variable free surface elevation above the bed at the constriction. This model could be applied to any channel constriction problem but here is used to determine scour rates and depths associated with deflector‐type LWD jams. Deflector jams are one category of jam type presented in a debris jam classification scheme, in which jam type is a function of the ratio of average riparian tree height to average channel width. Deflector jams, as the name implies, partially block the flow and therefore act as a channel constriction, which results in constriction scour. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal regime of a headwater stream within a clear‐cut,coastal British Columbia,Canada

This study examined the thermal regime of a headwater stream within a clear‐cut. The stream had a complex morphology dominated by step–pool features, many formed by sediment accumulation upstream of woody debris. Maximum daily temperatures increased up to 5 °C after logging, and were positively associated with maximum daily air temperature and negatively with discharge. Maximum daily temperatures generally increased with downstream distance through the cut block, but decreased with distance in two segments over distances of tens of metres, where the topography indicated relatively concentrated lateral inflow. Localized cool areas within a step–pool unit were associated with zones of concentrated upwelling. Bed temperatures tended to be higher and have greater ranges in areas of downwelling flow into the bed. Heat budget estimates were made using meteorological measurements over the water surface and a model of net radiation using canopy characteristics derived from fisheye photography. Heat exchange driven by hyporheic flow through the channel step was a cooling effect during daytime, with a magnitude up to approximately 25% that of net radiation during the period of maximum daytime warming. Heat budget calculations in these headwater streams are complicated by the heterogeneity of incident solar radiation and channel geometry, as well as uncertainty in estimating heat and water exchanges between the stream and the subsurface via hyporheic exchange and heat conduction. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Wood storage in a wide mountain river: case study of the Czarny Dunajec,Polish Carpathians

Storage of large woody debris in the wide, mountain, Czarny Dunajec River, southern Poland, was investigated following two floods of June and July 2001 with a seven‐year frequency. Within a reach, to which wood was delivered only by bank erosion and transport from upstream, wood quantities were estimated for eighty‐nine, 100 m long, channel segments grouped into nine sections of similar morphology. Results from regression analysis indicated the quantity of stored wood to be directly related to the length of eroded, wooded banks and river width, and inversely related to unit stream power at the flood peak. The largest quantities of wood (up to 33 t ha^?1) were stored in wide, multi‐thread river sections. Here, the relatively low transporting ability of the river facilitated deposition of transported wood while a considerable length of eroded channel and island banks resulted in a large number of trees delivered from the local riparian forest. In these sections, a few morphological and ecological situations led to the accumulation of especially large quantities of wood within a small river area. Very low amounts of wood were stored in narrow, single‐thread sections of regulated or bedrock channel. High stream power facilitated transport of wood through these sections while the high strength of the banks and low channel sinuosity prevented bank retreat and delivery of trees to the channel. Considerable differences in the character of deposited wood existed between wide, multi‐thread channel sections located at different distances below a narrow, 7 km long, channellized reach of the river. Wood deposited close to the downstream end of the channellized reach was highly disintegrated and structured into jams, whereas further downstream well preserved shrubs and trees prevailed. This apparently reflects differences in the distance of wood transport and shows that in a mountain river wider than the height of trees growing on its banks, wood can be transported long distances along relatively narrow, single‐thread reaches but is preferentially deposited in wide, multi‐thread reaches. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The impact of afforestation on stream bank erosion and channel form

Modification of the land use of a small catchment through coniferous afforestation is shown to have influenced stream bank erosion and channel form. Field mapping and erosion pin measurements over a 19-month period provides evidence of more active bank erosion along forested channel reaches than along non-forested. Extrapolation of downstream increases in bankfull width, bankfull depth, and channel capacity with increasing basin area for the non-forested catchment has demonstrated that afforestation of the lower part of the catchment has had a marked effect on channel form. Channel widths within the forest are up to three times greater than that predicted from the regression. These changes in bankfull width have led to stream bed aggradation and the development of wide shallow channels within the forest, and channel capacities within the forest are over two times that predicted from the basin area. The relationship between channel sinuosity and valley gradient for non-forested reaches of the river also indicated decreased sinuosity resulting from afforestation. These changes in channel form result from active bank erosion within the forest with coarse material being deposited within the channel as point-bars and mid-channel bars. Active bank erosion is largely attributed to the suppression by the forest of a thick grass turf and its associated dense network of fine roots, and secondly to the river attempting to bypass log jams and debris dams in the stream channel.     

Anatomy of a Pennine peat slide,Northern England

This paper describes and analyses the structure and deposits of a large UK peat slide, located at Hart Hope in the North Pennines, northern England. This particular failure is unusual in that it occurred in the winter (February, 1995) and shows excellent preservation of the sedimentary structures and morphology, both at the failure scar and downstream. The slide was triggered by heavy rain and rapid snowmelt along the line of an active peatland stream flush. Detailed mapping of the slide area and downstream deposits demonstrate that the slide was initiated as a blocky mass that degenerated into a debris flow. The slide pattern was complex, with areas of extending and compressive movement. A wave‐like motion may have been set up in the failure. Within the slide site there was relatively little variability in block size (b axis); however, downstream the block sizes decrease rapidly. Stability analysis suggests the area at the head of the scar is most susceptible to failure. A ‘secondary’ slide area is thought to have only been initiated once the main failure had occurred. Estimates of the velocity of the flowing peat mass as it entered the main stream channel indicate a flow velocity of approximately 10 m s^?1, which rapidly decreases downstream. A sediment budget for the peat slide estimates the failed peat mass to be 30 800 t. However, sediment delivery to the stream channel was relatively low. About 37% of the failed mass entered the stream channel and, despite moving initially as debris flow, the amount of deposition along the stream course and on the downstream fan is small (only about 1%). The efficiency of fluvial systems in transporting the eroded peat is therefore high. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The response of headwater stream channels to urbanization in the humid tropics

Analysis of the bankfull cross-sections of headwater streams in Ado-Ekiti region of Southwestern Nigeria and their comparison with data from other tropical environments and temperate latitudes reveal that the channel capacities of streams in the humid tropics are relatively smaller than those of temperate regions, averaging 1.51 m² with a coefficient of variation of 87 per cent. This is attributed to the small stream discharge, the predominantly low and highly seasonal flows of the streams, the low shear stress of stream load, and the stabilizing and protective influence of riparian vegetation and surface incrustations. The chanel capacities of the urban streams (mean = 1.13m²) are about 47 per cent smaller than those of the natural streams (mean = 2.12 m²) in the same ecological zone. In terms of hydraulic efficiency, the urban streams also have relatively inefficient cross-sections and larger width/depth ratios than their rural or natural counterparts. Resurveys of seventeen monumented cross-sections reveal that while channel shoulder width increased by only 6 per cent over a one-year period, channel depth and capacity decreased by 16 per cent and 4 per cent respectively; the observed decrease in channel size occurs entirely in the channel depth dimension. Thus the response of stream channels to the urbanization of small headwater catchments in the humid tropics is probably more of vertical accretion of channel bed and reduction in channel capacity rather than the widely-reported anomalous enlargement of urban streams through channel widening. The rapid rate of channel aggradation is attributed to excessive rates of sediment production and delivery to streams in urbanized catchments in the humid tropics, rapid deposition of sediments during small runoff events and on the falling stage of storm hydrographs, and the inability of the streams to evacuate the sediments delivered to them despite the increased discharge and peak flow associated with urbanization. The low competence of the urban streams is attributed to the predominance of low flows, very gentle bed slopes, and most importantly the widespread dumping of refuse into the channels thereby reducing flow velocity and promoting backwater flooding, ponding, and sedimentation. The correlations between drainage basin area, a surrogate for stream discharge, and channel capacity are very strong for the rural watersheds, and the regression analysis indicates a tendency towards a steady-state isometric relationship. Urban channels are, to a large extent, in disequilibrium with the urban hydrological state. However, spatial variations in the degree of urbanization of the catchments, and, therefore in runoff volume and velocity, exercise strong control on channel width, depth, and size. A model of the sequence of stream channel adjustment to the urbanization of small headwater catchments in the humid tropics is presented.     

The form and function of headwater streams based on field and modeling investigations in the southern Appalachian Mountains

Headwater streams drain the majority of most landscapes, yet less is known about their morphology and sediment transport processes than for lowland rivers. We have studied headwater channel form, discharge and erosive power in the humid, moderate‐relief Valley and Ridge and Blue Ridge provinces of the Appalachian Mountains. Field observations from nine headwater (<2 km² drainage area), mixed bedrock–alluvial channels in a variety of boundary conditions demonstrate variation with respect to slope‐area channel initiation, basic morphology, slope distribution, hydraulic geometry, substrate grain size and role of woody debris. These channels display only some of the typical downstream trends expected of larger, lowland rivers. Variations are controlled mainly by differences in bedrock resistance, from the formation level down to short‐wavelength, outcrop‐scale variations. Hydrologic modeling on these ungauged channels estimates the recurrence of channel‐filling discharge and its ability to erode the channel bed. Two‐year recurrence discharge is generally larger and closer to bankfull height in the Valley and Ridge, due to low soil infiltration capacity. Discharge that fills the channel to its surveyed bankfull form is variable, generally exceeding two‐year flows at small drainage areas (<0·5 km²) and being exceeded by them at greater drainage areas. This suggests bankfull is not controlled by the same recurrence storm throughout a channel or physiographic region. Stream power and relative competence are also variable. These heterogeneities contrast relations observed in larger streams and illustrate the sensitivity of headwater channels to local knickpoints of resistant bedrock and armoring of channels by influx of coarse debris from hillslopes. The general lack of predictable trends or functional relationships among hydraulic variables and the close coupling of channel form and function with local boundary conditions indicate that headwater streams pose a significant challenge to landscape evolution modeling. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Patterns of bedload entrainment and transport in forested headwater streams of the Columbia Mountains,Canada

We monitor bedload transport and water discharge at six stations in two forested headwater streams of the Columbia Mountains, Canada. The nested monitoring network is designed to examine the effects of channel bed texture, and the influence of alluvial (i.e. step pools and riffle pools) and semialluvial morphologies (i.e. boulder cascades and forced step pools) on bedload entrainment and transport. Results indicate that dynamics of bedload entrainment are influenced by differences in flow resistance attributable to morphology. Scaled fractional analysis shows that in reaches with high form resistance most bedload transport occurs in partial mobility fashion relative to the available bed material, while calibers finer than 16 mm attain full mobility during bankfull flows. Equal mobility transport for a wider range of grain sizes is achieved in reaches exhibiting reduced form resistance. Our findings confirm that the Shields value for mobilization of the median surface grain size depends on channel gradient and relative submergence; however, we also find that these relations vary considerably for cobble and gravel bed channels due to proportionality between dimensionless shear stress and grain size. Exponents of bedload rating curves across sites correlate most with the D_90s of the mobile bed, however, where grain effects are controlled (i.e. along individual streams), differences in form resistance across morphologies exert a primary control on bedload transport dynamics. Application of empirical formulae developed for use in steep alpine channels present variable success in predicting transport rates in forested snowmelt streams. Formulae that explicitly account for reductions in mobile bed area and high morphological resistance associated with woody debris provide the best approximation to observed empirical data. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Channel change following European settlement: Gilmore Creek,southeastern Australia

European settlement in southeastern Australia led to rapid changes in the morphology of many upland streams. However, our knowledge of the nature of these changes is limited as historical records and preserved palaeochannels are rare. In this study we compare a well‐preserved section of the late Holocene palaeochannel of Gilmore Creek to its present channel. We used a combination of map and aerial photograph interpretation, field survey, OSL dating and discharge analysis to describe and compare the modern and palaeochannels and establish a firm date for the timing of channel change. In common with many other streams in southeastern Australia Gilmore Creek's late Holocene channel meandered across a stable well‐vegetated and frequently inundated floodplain. After about 1830 European settlers quickly modified the catchment by clearing riparian and hillslope vegetation, introducing grazing animals and other exotic species and mining for alluvial gold in the headwaters. The OSL dates show that between about 1850 and 1880 the small meandering channel aggraded with coarse sands and then up to about 1 m of silty sand was deposited over the floodplain. Declining sediment input from upstream channel avulsion before 1890 resulted in the establishment of a straighter, larger capacity channel that incised to the level of basal cobbles and, in places, to bedrock. The dramatic change in channel pattern resembles that described on the Cann River in eastern Victoria following the removal of riparian vegetation and within‐channel coarse woody debris. At Gilmore Creek increased channel capacity has greatly reduced the average frequency of floodplain inundation. High values of specific stream power suggest that channel morphology is now well adjusted to the present flow regime. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A conceptual model for meander initiation in bedload‐dominated streams

A simple analytic model is presented relating local sediment transport capacity to variance in the transverse shear stress distribution in a stream channel. The model is used to develop a physically based conceptual model for the initiation of meandering in straight, bedload‐dominated streams as a result of a feedback mechanism. The feedback maximizes the cross‐sectional shear stress variance and – in order to achieve stability – ultimately minimizes the energy slope at repeated locations along the channel, subject to steady‐state mass flux and the stability of the channel boundary. These locations develop into pools in a fully developed meandering channel; they represent attractor states wherein sediment continuity is satisfied using the least possible energy expenditure per unit length of channel. However, since the cross‐sectional geometry of a pool (and the adjacent bar) is asymmetric, these attractor states are only conditionally stable, requiring strong, curvature‐induced secondary circulation to maintain their asymmetry. Between two successive pools, a stream occupies a metastable, higher energy state (corresponding to a riffle) that requires greater energy expenditure per unit length of channel to transport the same volume of sediment. The model we present links processes at the scale of a channel width to adjustments of the channel sinuosity and slope at the scale of a channel reach. We argue that the reach‐scale extremal hypotheses employed by rational regime models are mathematical formalisms that permit a one‐dimensional theory to describe the three‐dimensional dynamics producing stream morphology. Our model is consistent with the results from stream table experiments, with respect to both the rate of development of meandering and the characteristics of the equilibrium channel morphology. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.