A statistical analysis of bank erosion and channel migration in western Canada

Research Article| April 01, 1986 A statistical analysis of bank erosion and channel migration in western Canada GERALD C. NANSON; GERALD C. NANSON 1Department of Geography, The University of Wollongong, P.O. Box 1144, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia 2500 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar EDWARD J. HICKIN EDWARD J. HICKIN 2Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. Canada V5A 1S6 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1986) 97 (4): 497–504. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1986)97<497:ASAOBE>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation GERALD C. NANSON, EDWARD J. HICKIN; A statistical analysis of bank erosion and channel migration in western Canada. GSA Bulletin 1986;; 97 (4): 497–504. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1986)97<497:ASAOBE>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Mean lateral-migration rates for 18 meandering river channels in western Canada are explained statistically in terms of hydraulic and sedimentological variables. The volume of sediment eroded from the outer bank of a meander bend is shown to be largely a function of river size and grain size of sediment at the base of the outer bank. These variables explain almost 70% of the volumetric migration rate for these relatively large, sand- and gravel-bed streams. It would appear that bank erosion and channel migration are essentially problems of sediment entrainment which is dependent on total stream power and sediment size. Vegetation on the outer bank is seen to have little significant effect in controlling channel migration. Further refinements of the type of data used here should permit the development of an accurate predictive model of regional channel migration. To this effect, it is most important to develop a precise relationship between bank resistance and the size of sediment at the base of the outer bank. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.