Thesis-2007-Dudley.pdf (22.76 MB)
Channel form, flow and sediment transport in a step-pool stream
thesis
posted on 2013-03-05, 08:40 authored by John R. DudleyThe influence of channel morphology and hydraulics on sediment transport within
steep upland streams is investigated. Step-pools are the most common bedform in
such streams. Bedload transport processes operating in a perennial step-pool stream in
central England are established using magnetically-tagged particles and bedload pit
samplers. Water-surface slope in two step-pool streams is monitored in detail.
Water-surface slope measurements show that step-pool bedforms cause large spatial
variations in flow depth during floods, and that the temporal variation of watersurface
slope during a flood wave differs diametrically from the pattern found in lowgradient
rivers that have little roughness. These results demonstrate that it is difficult
to estimate the forces acting on the streambed in steep, rough streams and, therefore,
conventionally established flow variables cannot be used to predict bedload transport .
rates in step-pool channels.
Particle tracing experiments are used to determine the control that step-pool
morphology and flow hycfraulics have on particle displacements. Step-pool streams
exhibit smaller particle travel distance per flood event than low-gradient rivers. This
difference reflects the greater flow resistance and bed rugosity of step-pool streams.
Bed morphology dictates flood particle displacement at step-pool bedform scale. It is
shown that entrainment, pool export rates and transport distances of coarse sediment
are dependent on downstream step dimensions, step permeability and pool form.
Large variations in bedload transport rates at any given flow strength are associated
with variable sediment supply, and particle tracing demonstrates that sediment
availability is controlled at unit pool scale. Bedload consists of fine gravel moving
over a stable bed surface at low discharges, while, at higher discharges, bedload
coarsens, approaching the size of the pool bed material as the bed surface is partially
mobilized. Step framework clasts are stable features of the streambed. Results from
this study are incorporated into a descriptive model of discharge-related bedload
transport phases in step-pool streams.
History
School
- Social Sciences
Department
- Geography and Environment
Publisher
© John Richard DudleyPublication date
2007Notes
A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.EThOS Persistent ID
uk.bl.ethos.487663Language
- en