Sedimentation in the riparian zone of an incising river

Johannes Steiger, Angela Gurnell, P Ergenzinger, D Snelder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

60 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper focuses on one aspect of riparian zone change associated with channel incision. It presents information on sedimentation within the riparian zone of the River Garonne, France, derived from both historical and contemporary sources. The riparian zone investigated is morphologically complex, containing a remnant island and cut-off channel. Information drawn from historical and contemporary sources permits the reconstruction of channel planform and cross-profile change, as well as an assessment of changes in riparian zone sedimentation rates and patterns. Very significant changes are identified over the last 50 years: a change from a multiple thread to single thread channel planform; high rates of riparian zone sedimentation of the order of 0.5 to 2.5 cm a(-1); clear spatial patterns in over-bank sedimentation, reflecting topographic and vegetational variations and flood event magnitude; and a reduction in morphological and vegetational diversity through the period, which is expected to continue as the zone is transformed into an increasingly homogeneous sediment sink. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)91-108
Number of pages18
JournalEarth Surface Processes and Landforms
Volume26
Issue number1
Early online date1 Jan 2001
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2001

Keywords

  • riparian zone
  • Garonne River
  • sedimentation
  • caesium-137
  • cut-off channel
  • floodplain
  • channel incision

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