Mapping 2-D bedload rates throughout a sand-bed river reach from high-resolution acoustical surveys of migrating bedforms

Jérôme Le Coz; Emeline Perret; Benoît Camenen; David J. Topping; Daniel D. Buscombe; Kate Leary; Guillaume Dramais; Paul E. Grams

doi:10.1029/2022wr032434

USGS · 70238582

Mapping 2-D bedload rates throughout a sand-bed river reach from high-resolution acoustical surveys of migrating bedforms

Jérôme Le Coz·Emeline Perret·Benoît Camenen·David J. Topping·Daniel D. Buscombe·Kate Leary·Guillaume Dramais·Paul E. Grams

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Abstract

This paper introduces a method for determining spatially-distributed, 2-D bedload rates using repeat, high-resolution surveys of the bed topography. As opposed to existing methods, bedform parameters and bedload rates are computed from bed elevation profiles interpolated along the local bedform velocities. The bedform velocity fields are computed applying Large-Scale Particle Image Velocimetry, initially developed for surface velocity measurements, to pairs of successive Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). The bathymetry data are interpolated along the direction of each bedform velocity and the mean height of the closest bedform is computed. The dune shape factor is also evaluated along each bedform direction of travel. The local bedload fluxes can be computed by multiplying the bedform velocity by its mean height averaged over the successive two DEMs, and they can be time-averaged over a series of DEM pairs. This method is applied to a high-resolution acoustical survey of an approximately 300 m long by 40 m wide reach of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon upstream from Diamond Creek, USA. The repeat period was about 6–10 min and bed elevation was interpolated every 0.25 m. The obtained results provide insight to the spatial and temporal variability of bedload rates, bedform parameters and bedload fluxes through cross-sections. The method can be applied to other repeated acoustical surveys of river reaches provided that the space and time resolutions are high enough to capture the local movement of bedforms.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 35.44740531531292° to 37.076564530984584° latitude; -113.84362202724009° to -110.85660930265428° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeX RIS

Jérôme Le Coz, Emeline Perret, Benoît Camenen, David J. Topping, Daniel D. Buscombe, Kate Leary, Guillaume Dramais, Paul E. Grams. 2022-11-15. Mapping 2-D bedload rates throughout a sand-bed river reach from high-resolution acoustical surveys of migrating bedforms. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022wr032434

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