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Geography & Environment Publications
A Cellular Model of River Meandering
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2006
Volume
31
Issue
1
Journal
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
First Page
123
Last Page
132
URL with Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.1315
Abstract
River meandering has been successfully modelled using vector based methods, but these cannot simulate multiple or braided channels. Conversely, cellular braided river models fail to replicate meandering. This paper describes a new method to simulate river meandering within a cellular model (CAESAR). A novel technique for determining bend radius of curvature on a cell by cell basis is described, that importantly allows regional information on bend curvature to be transferred to local points. This local curvature is then used to drive meandering and lateral erosion through two methods. Key difficulties are identified, including the deposition of material on point bars and cut off development, but the method illustrates how meandering can be integrated within a cellular framework. This demonstrates the potential to produce a single model that can incorporate both meandering and braiding.