Antecedent alluvial morphology and sea‐level controls on form‐process transition zones in the lower Trinity river, Texas

An important aspect of river science and management is the identification of key boundaries, transition zones and hinge points. Such critical areas are likely to be important foci or indicators of the effects of environmental change on river systems. While geological controls on such features are widely recognized in upland streams, inherited or antecedent forms may also be important controls of key transitional points or reaches in alluvial coastal plain rivers. The critical zone of the lower Trinity River, Texas marks an important transition in river channel and valley forms, dominant processes and resulting geomorphological, hydrological and ecological characteristics. Its location is not a transient result of upstream or downstream propagation of effects. Rather, the location marks the contemporary upstream extent of the effects of Holocene sea‐level rise, which in turn coincides with the point at which the Pleistocene upper Deweyville alluvial terrace surface is encountered. A more rapid rate of change and relatively sudden upstream displacement of this zone is likely when the upper Deweyville surface is flooded. Antecedent fluvial and alluvial topography inherited from previous aggradation, degradation and lateral migration episodes is likely to be an important control over modern fluvial forms and processes in other alluvial coastal plain rivers as well. Identification and mapping of such features may be extremely useful in pinpointing critical transition zones for water resource managers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.