Stream power

About: Stream power is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1135 publications have been published within this topic receiving 51324 citations.

Landslide dam formation susceptibility analysis based on geomorphic features

Abstract: Global climate change has increased the frequency of abnormally high rainfall; such high rainfall events in recent years have occurred in the mountainous areas of Taiwan. This study identifies historical earthquake- and typhoon-induced landslide dam formations in Taiwan along with the geomorphic characteristics of the landslides. Two separate groups of landslides are examined which are classified as those that were dammed by river water and those that were not. Our methodology applies spatial analysis using geographic information system (GIS) and models the geomorphic features with 20 × 20 m digital terrain mapping. The Spot 6 satellite images after Typhoon Morakot were used for an interpretation of the landslide areas. The multivariate statistical analysis is also used to find which major factors contribute to the formation of a landslide dam. The objective is to identify the possible locations of landslide dams by the geomorphic features of landslide-prone slopes. The selected nine geomorphic features include landslide area, slope, aspect, length, width, elevation change, runout distance, average landslide elevation, and river width. Our four geomorphic indexes include stream power, form factor, topographic wetness, and elevation–relief ratio. The features of the 28 river-damming landslides and of the 59 non-damming landslides are used for multivariate statistical analysis by Fisher discriminant analysis and logistic regression analysis. The principal component analysis screened out eleven major geomorphic features for landslide area, slope, aspect, elevation change, length, width, runout distance, average elevation, form factor, river width, stream power, and topography wetness. Results show that the correctness by Fisher discriminant analysis was 68.0 % and was 70.8 % by logistic regression analysis. This study suggests that using logistic regression analysis as the assessment model for identifying the potential location of a landslide dam is beneficial. Landslide threshold equations applying the geomorphic features of slope angle, angle of landslide elevation change, and river width (H L/W R) to identify the potential formation of natural dams are proposed for analysis. Disaster prevention and mitigation measures are enhanced when the locations of potential landslide dams are identified; further, in order to benefit such measures, dam volume estimates responsible for breaches are key.

A conceptual model of the role of excess energy in the maintenance of a riffle¿pool sequence

Abstract: There is much debate over the role of hydraulic ‘reversal’ in the maintenance of riffle–pool sequences in gravel-bed channels. It is, however, generally acknowledged that the pool has the greatest maximum energy during flood flows allowing scour and pool maintenance. Little emphasis has been placed on the reversal period in many previous studies despite its potential importance being noted in the seminal study of Keller [Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 82 (1971) 753]. This is potentially significant, as reversal may only occur for short periods at the peak of flood hydrographs; hence, the hydraulic argument behind riffle–pool maintenance is based around what is often a marginal energy excess in the pool for a very short period of time. This study uses the magnitude frequency concept of Wolman and Miller [J. Geol. 68 (1960) 54] and applies it to an investigation of the temporal dominance in morphologic unit stream power between a series of four pools and three riffles derived from measured flow and calculated energy slopes on the upland gravel-bed River Rede, Northumberland. The geomorphologically effective flow regime is used to define temporal balances between riffle and pool energy levels. The geomorphic work carried out by riffles and pools, as described by the excess stream power ( Ω − Ω c ) capable of transporting the bed sediments, displayed a broad balance for the upstream four units before reducing significantly at pool 3 and rising again for the subsequent two units which appear particularly energetic. These findings contrast with hydraulic theories of riffle–pool maintenance, e.g., Keller [Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 82 (1971) 753]. For sediments to be transferred through a riffle–pool sequence whilst maintaining a quasi-equilibrium form, the pools should carry out the same amount of work as the riffle upstream in order for it not to fill with sediment. Although stream power reversal did occur for some riffle–pool units, the magnitude and longevity of the reversal did not balance the energy exerted at riffle locations. Armouring and shallow gravel depth at riffle 3 appear to indicate scouring in response to high excess stream power found in this area. However, there was no evidence of sub-dominant pools 3 and 4 filling in response to low stream power.