Key hydraulic drivers and patterns of fine sediment accumulation in gravel streambeds: A conceptual framework illustrated with a case study from the Kiewa River, Australia

R Casas-Mulet; KT Alfredsen; AH McCluskey; MJ Stewardson

Journal article

Key hydraulic drivers and patterns of fine sediment accumulation in gravel streambeds: A conceptual framework illustrated with a case study from the Kiewa River, Australia

R Casas-Mulet, KT Alfredsen, AH McCluskey, MJ Stewardson

Geomorphology | Published : 2017

DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2017.08.032

Abstract

Fine sediment processes in gravel beds may have significant impacts to overall river ecosystem function. In addition to gravitational deposition, horizontal intragravel transport has been recognized to influence fine sediment accumulation. However, the specific hydraulic mechanisms and origin of fine sediment movement are not clearly identified. The purpose of this study was to investigate key hydraulic drivers and patterns of fine sediment accumulation. Using a conceptual framework to set the scene, we implemented an experimental setup in a gravel lateral bar subject to irregular flow fluctuations in the Kiewa River (Australia). We installed nine sets of sediment collector pairs and piezome..

View full abstract

University of Melbourne Researchers

Michael Stewardson Author

Related Projects (3)

The role of turbulence in transporting waterborne material within streambed sediments and across the sediment-water interface

The sediments of rivers, lakes and coastal ocean filter waterborne contaminants. This project uses novel experimental techniques to investig..

Optimising Seasonal Decisions for Environmental Water Use

This project will develop a tool to optimise the use of environmental water, drawing on seasonal forecasts of streamflow and water price, an..

Optimising Seasonal Decisions for Environmental Water Use

This project will develop a tool to optimise the use of environmental water, drawing on seasonal forecasts of streamflow and water price, an..

Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

This work was carried out as part of the Australian Government Endeavour Research Fellowship awarded to Casas-Mulet. Work was also supported by the Australian Research Council through two projects DP130103619 and LP130100174. The authors would like to thank the adjacent to the site land owners and North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) to help grant access to the site, and AGL for the provision of data. Thanks to Prof. Stanley Grant and Dr. Markus Noack for feedback on a very early draft and to Dr. Gregory Pasternack for providing very useful comments at the final stages. We are grateful to the two anonymous reviewers for their suggestions that greatly improved the manuscript. Last, but not least, our most sincere thanks Rodger Young and Judit Castillo for the invaluable help in the field.