Author(s): Leyla Amanova and Batyrbek Niyazov

Abstract: Braided rivers are dynamic systems characterized by their complex channel networks and high sediment transport rates, making accurate predictions of channel migration critical for effective river management. This study employed a coupled hydrodynamic and morphological model to simulate channel migration in a braided river system using high-resolution LiDAR and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) data. The model achieved an observed-to-simulated migration rate alignment of 11.8 m/year and 12.3 m/year, respectively, with a Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency of 0.87 and a validation accuracy of 86.4%. Sensitivity analyses underscored the critical role of sediment transport dynamics, revealing significant reductions in migration rates when sediment supply was altered. Despite localized discrepancies, the model effectively captured erosion, deposition, and bar formation patterns, validating its utility for geomorphic studies and river management applications. The integration of advanced datasets and a hybrid modeling approach enhanced accuracy while reducing computational costs by 30%, offering insights for future modeling efforts in braided rivers. These discrepancies could be mitigated through refined parameterization of flow resistance and incorporation of stochastic methods that account for spatial variability. Future studies could also explore multi-scale simulations to better handle areas with high-complexity dynamics. The use of stochastic modeling approaches can provide probabilistic insights into the uncertainties inherent in sediment transport and channel migration, enhancing predictive reliability. For instance, expanding comparisons to models used in similar geomorphic contexts (e.g., meandering rivers or deltaic systems) could provide broader validation and highlight unique contributions.

Pages: 26-29 | Views: 72 | Downloads: 42

Download Full Article: Click Here