Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 14.21
Development, morphology and geometry of
river meanders: (a)-(c) progressive meander development,
(d) representative vertical sections, (e) principal geometric
elements in the assessment of meander intensity.
trigger sinuous flow and set up downstream loci of slower flow as the mainstream
rebounds off opposing banks. However it commences, deposition of coarse bed load
increases channel roughness locally, causing further accretion of coarse material and finer
sediment on the upstream and downstream ends of the bar respectively. Depleted of bed
load, onward-moving water regains competence. The increased shear stress erodes a
pool
in the incipient meander and reloads with sediment for the next bar. This alternation of
erosion and deposition develops until a stable meandering form is reached for most
normal water and sediment discharges.
