Slater et al 2019 SR - River channel conveyance capacity responds to modes of climate variability.pdf (2.66 MB)
River channel conveyance capacity adjusts to modes of climate variability
journal contribution
posted on 2019-09-23, 10:36 authored by Louise Slater, Abdou Khouakhi, Robert WilbyRobert WilbyRiver networks are typically treated as conduits of fixed discharge conveyance capacity in flood models and engineering design, despite knowledge that alluvial channel networks adjust their geometry, conveyance, planform, extent and drainage density over time in response to shifts in the magnitude and frequency of streamflows and sediment supply. Consistent relationships between modes of climate variability conducive to wetter-/drier-than-average conditions and changes in channel conveyance have never been established, hindering geomorphological prediction over interannual to multidecadal timescales. This paper explores the relationship between river channel conveyance/geometry and three modes of climate variability (the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, and Arctic Oscillation) using two-, five- and ten-year medians of channel measurements, streamflow, precipitation and climate indices over seven decades in 67 United States rivers. We find that in two thirds of these rivers, channel capacity undergoes coherent phases of expansion/contraction in response to shifts in catchment precipitation and streamflow, driven by climate modes with different periodicities. Understanding the sensitivity of channel conveyance to climate modes would enable better river management, engineering design, and flood predictability over interannual to multidecadal timescales.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Department
- Geography and Environment
Published in
Scientific ReportsVolume
9Publisher
Springer NatureVersion
- VoR (Version of Record)
Rights holder
© The AuthorsAcceptance date
2019-08-13Publication date
2019-09-02Copyright date
2019eISSN
2045-2322Publisher version
Language
- en
Depositor
Prof Robert Leonard WilbyArticle number
12619Usage metrics
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