Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
()
a
Bed load
Mixed load
Suspended load
Straight
Straight
Straight
Meandering
Meandering
Meandering thalweg
Anastomosing
Braided
Island braided
()
b
Laterally inactive channels
Laterally active channels
Straight-island form
Meandering
Straight-ridge form
Braided
Sinuous-stable
Single-channel
rivers
Anabranching
rivers
Single-channel
rivers
Anabranching
rivers
Figure 9.1
Classifications of channel patterns. (a) Channel form classified according to channel pattern (straight,
meandering, braided, and anastomosing) and sediment load (suspended load, suspended-load and bed-load mix, bed
load). (b) A classification of river patterns that includes single-channel and anabranching forms.
Sources:
(a) Adapted from Schumm (1981, 1985b) and Knighton and Nanson (1993); (b) Adapted from Nanson and
Knighton (1996)
