Variability and uncertainty in reach bankfull hydraulic geometry

Abstract

Observations of the hydraulic geometry of river channels are widely used in fluvial geomorphological research and river management. Variations in hydraulic geometry observed at sites through a region or through time are often assumed to be true variation, but measurement uncertainty will also contribute to these variations. Few studies have quantified the effect of error. This paper evaluates uncertainty in bankfull hydraulic geometry for 114 river sites in southeast Australia. These sites represent a broad range of river types, including lowland and upland rivers in temperate and semi-arid climates. Results will be applicable to hydraulic geometry investigations worldwide when consistent ch..