The Dynamics of River Confluences

This chapter focuses on river confluences as a distinctive type of river planform. Topics covered in the chapter include the characteristics of confluence planform geometry, the distinction of confluence types based on planform symmetry, the factors controlling flow structure and patterns of sediment transport in confluences, current understanding of flow structure and patterns of sediment transport in confluences, dynamic changes in bed morphology in relation to changes in hydrological conditions of incoming flows, mixing downstream of confluences, changes in channel geometry at confluences, and changes in confluence planform over time.