The Role of Fine Sediment in the Morphologic Evolution of Vegetated, Braided Channel Networks: Results from Flume Experiments

Abstract:

Flume experiments over the past two decades shed light on the individual roles of vegetation and fine sediment deposition in determining channel pattern. Those modeling encroaching vegetation on self-formed, braided networks demonstrate that enhanced bank strength from root growth limits lateral mobility and encourages flow into fewer channels with lower width to depth ratios. Repeat seedings encourage meandering by strengthening newly-formed bars, thus promoting outer bend migration. Others show that fine sediment deposition can sustain meandering by filling in chute cutoffs and building new floodplain. However, there is more to be learned about transitional phases as vegetation and fines work in tandem to drive morphologic reorganization of braided channel networks.

We are conducting a series of flume experiments to investigate the role of fine sediment in the evolution of self-formed, braided channels undergoing repeat seedings of vegetation (Medicago sativa). Flood regime, sediment feed rate, and seeding density are held constant between runs, while sediment size distribution is varied. After generating a braided network, the flume is then re-seeded in between 4-hour floods. Discharge is reduced by 50% during seeding to expose bars, mimicking natural colonization during low flow. Channel migration rate, elevation, depth, and velocity are recorded hourly.

Preliminary results build upon previous, similarly-scaled experiments that investigated the role of vegetation alone on the self-organization of these systems. Runs without fine sediment lack the ability to deposit in the floodplain, yet enhanced bank strength derived from vegetation lowers channel migration rates, forcing aggradation into narrower channels, and potentially forcing a more avulsive system. We anticipate that further results from upcoming experiments that allow overbank deposition will answer important questions regarding channel aggradation and floodplain formation as channel roughness increases.