Vegetation controls on channel stability in the Bell River, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Auteurs :
ROWNTREE, K.M.
DOLLAR, E.S.J.

Description :
Channel instability has occurred in the Bell River in the form of meander cutoffs, a number of which have occurred since 1952. This study reports the results of an investigation into the effect of vegetation on channel form and stability over a 17 km stretch of channel. Riparian vegetation increases bank stability and reduces channel cross-sectional area, thereby inducing stability at flows less than bankfull. The reduced channel capacity is thought to result in more frequent overbank flooding which may ultimately lead to channel avulsion.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 1999, vol. 24, n°. 2, p. 127-134, Collation : Illustration, Références bibliographiques : 30 ref.

Date :
1999

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley