Confluences are locations of complex hydrodynamic conditions within river systems. The effects on hydrodynamics and mixing of temperature‐induced density differences between incoming flows are investigated at a small‐size, concordant bed confluence. To evaluate density effects, results of eddy‐resolving simulations for a densimetric Froude number
The spatial patterns of transport‐effective flows at confluences and the relation of these patterns to channel morphology remain poorly understood. This field study uses acoustic Doppler current profiler measurements to explore the spatial structure of different transport‐effective flows at three small stream confluences where measurements of flow structure have been obtained previously using electromagnetic current meters or acoustic Doppler velocimeters for events incapable of mobilizing bed material or for transport‐effective events with much smaller discharges. Results show that flow accelerates from upstream to downstream for all six measured flows and that in each case a distinct region of velocity deficit exists within the confluence. Accelerating flow within this velocity‐deficit region eventually transforms into the high‐velocity core of flow downstream of the confluence. Patterns of secondary flow are indicative of helical motion, with some helical cells exhibiting senses of rotation inconsistent with patterns of streamline curvature defined by patterns of depth‐averaged velocity vectors—a type of fluid motion that contrasts with flow structure documented at lower stages. Channel form, especially bed morphology, generally reflects acceleration of flow at the confluences; all three sites exhibit zones of scour. Despite mobility of bed material during measured flows, channel morphology does not change substantially at any of the sites, but systematic change in channel form for two different transport‐effective events with different momentum flux ratios is observed at one of the three confluences. At this confluence, the type of change documented during the two events is consistent with previous work on changes in morphology before and after events with different momentum flux ratios. The results of this study improve understanding of the connections between flow structure and channel form at small lowland stream confluences.
more » « less- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10394861
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
- Volume:
- 48
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 0197-9337
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: p. 1011-1033
- Size(s):
- ["p. 1011-1033"]
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract Fr = 4.9 (weak‐density‐effects cases) andFr = 1.6 (strong‐density‐effects cases) are compared to results of simulations in which the densities of the incoming flows do not differ (no‐density‐effects cases). Flow patterns predicted for both weak‐ and strong‐density‐effects cases show that secondary flow develops with increasing distance from the confluence apex. The pattern of secondary flow is characterized by denser fluid on one side of the confluence moving near the bed toward the side of the downstream channel corresponding to the less dense fluid and the less dense fluid moving near the free surface in the opposite direction. This pattern of fluid motion is similar to a spatially evolving lock‐exchange cross flow. In the strong‐density‐effects simulations, a cross‐stream cell of secondary flow develops at the density interface between the flows, similar to interfacial billows generated in classical lock‐exchange flows. Density effects increase global mixing with respect to corresponding no‐density‐effects cases regardless of whether the high‐momentum stream contains the higher‐density fluid or the lower‐density fluid. When density effects are weak, the lock‐exchange mechanism either reinforces the pattern of mixing associated with secondary flow induced by inertial forces, particularly helical motion, or opposes this pattern of mixing, depending on which tributary contains the denser fluid. When density effects are strong, flow from the upstream channel with the denser fluid moves under the flow from the upstream channel with the less dense fluid. -
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Abstract Confluences are important sites for mixing within river networks. Past work has shown that mixing within confluences is highly variable; in some cases flows mix rapidly and in other cases flows remain unmixed far downstream of the confluence. The fluvial processes that govern mixing within confluences remain poorly understood. This study relates patterns and amounts of mixing to three‐dimensional flow structure at three small confluences. It focuses on lateral fluxes of streamwise momentum, which theoretical considerations suggest should influence lateral mixing. Patterns and amounts of mixing differ at the three sites. Considerable mixing occurs at an asymmetrical confluence with strong helical motion within flow from the lateral tributary, which produces substantial differences in advective lateral transport of streamwise momentum over depth. Minor mixing occurs at a comparatively symmetrical confluence where incoming flows have relatively equal momentum fluxes; however, helical motion within one of the flows locally increases mixing. At a symmetrical confluence where one incoming flow has much greater momentum flux than the other, mixing occurs largely through progressive lateral shifting of the mixing interface toward the minor tributary because of the strong lateral flux of streamwise momentum by the dominant tributary. At all three confluences, lateral turbulent transport of streamwise momentum is an order of magnitude less than advective lateral transport of streamwise momentum. The study indicates that generalization of mixing at confluences remains challenging but that advective lateral fluxes of streamwise momentum related to secondary currents (helical motion) or primary flow (cross currents) greatly enhance mixing at confluences.
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Abstract Despite widespread recognition that confluences are characterized by complex hydrodynamic conditions, few studies have mapped in detail spatial patterns of flow at confluences and variation in these patterns over time. Recent developments in large‐scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) have created novel opportunities to explore the spatial and temporal dynamics of flow patterns at confluences. This study uses LSPIV to map two‐dimensional flow structure at the water surface at a confluence and to examine variation in this structure over time. Results show that flow within the confluence is characterized by a large region of flow stagnation at the junction apex, a region of low velocities at the downstream junction corner, and a region of merging of the two flows along a mixing interface within the center of the confluence. Interaction between the incoming flows varies over time in the form of episodic pulsing in which one of the two tributary flows first decelerates and then subsequently accelerates into the confluence. The cause of this pulsing remains uncertain, but it may reflect unsteadiness in the water‐surface pressure‐gradient field as the two flows compete for space within the confluence. No large‐scale vortices are evident within the mixing interface for the particular flow conditions documented in this study, but such vortices do occur along the margins of the stagnation zone where shearing action between fast‐moving and slow‐moving fluid is strong. The results of the study provide insight into the time‐dependent dynamics of the spatial structure of flow at stream confluences.
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Abstract Environmental flow releases are an effective tool to meet multiple management objectives, including maintaining river conveyance, restoring naturally functioning riparian plant communities, and controlling invasive species. In this context, predicting plant mortality during floods remains a key area of uncertainty for both river managers and ecologists, particularly with respect to how flood hydraulics and sediment dynamics interact with the plants’ own traits to influence their vulnerability to scour and burial.
To understand these processes better, we conducted flume experiments to quantify different plant species’ vulnerability to flooding across a range of plant sizes, patch densities, and sediment condition (equilibrium transport versus sediment deficit), using sand‐bed rivers in the U.S. southwest as our reference system. We ran 10 experimental floods in a 0.6 m wide flume using live seedlings of cottonwood and tamarisk, which have contrasting morphologies.
Sediment supply, plant morphology, and patch composition all had significant impacts on plant vulnerability during floods. Floods under sediment deficit conditions, which typically occur downstream of dams, resulted in bed degradation and a 35% greater risk of plant loss compared to equilibrium sediment conditions. Plants in sparse patches dislodged five times more frequently than in dense patches. Tamarisk plants and patches had greater frontal area, larger basal diameter, longer roots, and lower crown position compared to cottonwood across all seedling heights. These traits were associated with a 75% reduction in tamarisk seedlings’ vulnerability to scour compared to cottonwood.
Synthesis and applications . Tamarisk's greater survivability helps to explain its vigorous establishment and persistence on regulated rivers where flood magnitudes have been reduced. Furthermore, its documented influence on hydraulics, sediment deposition, and scour patterns in flumes is amplified at larger scales in strongly altered river channels where it has broadly invaded. Efforts to remove riparian vegetation using flow releases to maintain open floodways and/or control the spread of non‐native species will need to consider the target plants’ size, density, and species‐specific traits, in addition to the balance of sediment transport capacity and supply in the river system.
