Modelling stage-discharge relationships in anastomosed bedrock-influenced sections of the Sabie River system

• Published in: Earth surface processes and landforms 1998-05, Vol.23 (5), p.455-465
• Main Authors: Broadhurst, L. J., Heritage, G. L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anastomosis; bedrock channels; Bgi / Prodig; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Freshwater; Hydrology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Hydrometeorology; open channel hydraulics; Physical geography; Potamology. Stream hydrodynamics; Sabie River; stage-discharge
• ISSN: 0197-9337; 1096-9837
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9837(199805)23:5<455::AID-ESP860>3.0.CO;2-2

Flow dynamics in a bedrock‐influenced river system, the Sabie River, South Africa, have been found to be significantly different from those in temperate alluvial systems. The lack of lateral water connectivity leads to multiple bedrock distributaries with varying water surface elevations across a cross‐section. Distributary activation is dependent on upstream breaching of bedrock barriers between distributaries by rising discharge. Where measurement of individual stage–discharge relationships in each distributary was not possible, a ‘Multiple Stage’ model was developed to predict hydraulic conditions in each distributary, using a single measured rating curve and knowledge of individual distributary water surface elevations at a low flow. Use of the ‘Multiple Stage’ model has enabled realistic prediction of channel geometry and hydraulic variables, that accounts for the different stages found in bedrock‐influenced sections, yet is not prohibitively data intensive. Predicted ‘Multiple Stage’ results for maximum depth and velocity demonstrate the vast improvement on modelling flow dynamics, when compared to the conventional assumption of a single stage representing the whole cross‐section. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.