Rivers: Forms and ProcessesDr. Chris Parker
Fluvial Geomorphologist / Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
University of the West of England
Rivers move!!!
Why do we care if rivers move?
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Flood Risk
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Flood Risk
Lane et al, 2007
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Flood Risk
Lane et al, 20071 in 0.5 year flood: 2002 climate 1 in 0.5 year flood: 2050 climate
+12.2%
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Flood Risk
Lane et al, 2007
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Flood Risk
Lane et al, 20071 in 0.5 year flood: 2002 channel 1 in 0.5 year flood: 2004 channel
+5.7%
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Flood Risk
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Flood Risk
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Flood Risk
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Navigation
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Damage to infrastructure
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Damage to ecology
Why it is important to understand how and why rivers move: Damage to ecology
Why do rivers move?
What do rivers transport apart
from water?
Why do rivers move?
How do rivers move?
How do rivers move?
Sediment available to be transported > Capacity to transport sediment...
-Channel size shrinks-Channel becomes straighter (and therefore steeper)
How do rivers move?
How do rivers move?
How do rivers move?
Capacity to transport sediment > Sediment available to be transported...
-Channel size expands-Channel becomes more sinuous (and therefore less steep)
How do rivers move?
How will rivers move in the future?
How will rivers move in the future?
Cellular Catchment Model
How will rivers move in the future?
Cellular Catchment Model (CAESAR)
Coulthard et al
How will rivers move in the future?
low medium high
2010-2039 33% 27% 26%
2040-2069 30% 42% 42%
2070-2099 71% 77% 90%
Average modelled sediment percent increase from baseline for the River Eden
catchment, Cumbria
low medium high
2010-2039 2.4% 1.6% 1%
2040-2069 1.4% 0.9% 2.2%
2070-2099 3.6% 2.8% 4.2%
Average rainfall percent increase from baseline for the River Eden catchment,
Cumbria
Coulthard et al
How will rivers move in the future?
Predicted increase in flood inundation resulting from predicted morphological
change
Modelled morphological change in the River Eden, Carlisle resulting from 90% increase in
sediment yield
Coulthard et al
How will rivers move in the future?