Thesis Format
Integrated Article
Degree
Master of Science
Program
Geography
Supervisor
Ashmore, Peter
Abstract
The primary goal of this thesis was to investigate the influence of channel morphology on individual bed particle path lengths in a wandering gravel bed river, the San Juan River, BC. This was achieved through tracking the transport of sedimentary particles using PIT tags and also capturing changes in channel morphology through repeat topographic surveys over the same three year time period as the tracer tracking. Particle transport tended to remain within the riffle-pool-bar sequence in which they were seeded, with modal path lengths related to areas of deposition along bar margins, especially at the bar apex region. This aligned with overall changes observed in the channel, as bars appear to be migrating downstream and expanding laterally, causing erosion of the opposite bank. These findings point towards the link between overall channel morphodynamics and individual particle transport in bar-dominated gravel-bed rivers. Smaller tributaries, with plane beds, show a different pattern of particle movement.
Recommended Citation
McQueen, Ryan, "Bed particle displacement in a wandering gravel-bed river" (2019). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 6242.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/6242