A critical perspective on 1-D modeling of river processes: Gravel load and aggradation in lower Fraser River

Ferguson, R.; Church, M.

doi:10.1029/2009wr007740

A critical perspective on 1-D modeling of river processes: Gravel load and aggradation in lower Fraser River

Ferguson, R.; Church, M.

Authors

Emeritus Professor Rob Ferguson r.i.ferguson@durham.ac.uk

M. Church

Abstract

We investigate how well a width-averaged morphodynamic model can simulate gravel transport and aggradation along a highly irregular 38-km reach of lower Fraser River and discuss critical issues in this type of modeling. Bed load equations with plausible parameter values predict a gravel input consistent with direct measurements and a sediment budget. Simulations using spatially varying channel width, and forced by dominant discharge or a 20-year hydrograph, match the observed downstream fining well. They reproduce major qualitative features of a 47 year sediment budget and match maximum local rates of aggradation and degradation to well within a factor of 2. Locations and rates of aggradation and degradation are influenced by channel constrictions. Runs for single years of unusually high or low peak discharge suggest that the main transfers of gravel occur in different parts of the reach in different years. One-dimensional morphodynamic modeling of highly nonuniform rivers has serious conceptual limitations but may be a valuable complement to empirical approaches.

Citation

Ferguson, R., & Church, M. (2009). A critical perspective on 1-D modeling of river processes: Gravel load and aggradation in lower Fraser River. Water Resources Research, 45(11), https://doi.org/10.1029/2009wr007740

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Nov 1, 2009
Deposit Date	Jun 30, 2011
Publicly Available Date	Jul 6, 2011
Journal	Water Resources Research
Print ISSN	0043-1397
Electronic ISSN	1944-7973
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	45
Issue	11
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1029/2009wr007740

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Copyright Statement
Ferguson, R., and M. Church (2009), A critical perspective on 1-D modeling of river processes: Gravel load and aggradation in lower Fraser River, Water Resources Research, 45, W11424, 10.1029/2009WR007740 (DOI). To view the published open abstract, go to https://doi.org/ and enter the DOI.