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The development of tributaries of different sizes along winding streams and valleys
Author(s) -
Abrahams Athol D.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr020i012p01791
Subject(s) - tributary , sinuosity , streams , geology , hydrology (agriculture) , geomorphology , geography , geotechnical engineering , cartography , computer network , computer science
An analysis of 40 winding streams and valleys reveals that a higher proportion of large tributaries than small ones occurs on the concave (out) side of bends. The principal reason for this is that large tributaries experience greater difficulty than small ones forming in the limited amount of space on the convex (in) side of bends. The proportions of small and large tributaries on the concave side of bends are determined largely by the spatial requirements of tributaries, valley sinuosity, mean valley bend length, and mean rate of bend migration. In addition, the proportion of large tributaries on the concave side of bends is affected by junction angle adjustments that deflect a main stream toward a large tributary, thereby creating a bend with the large tributary on its concave side. These adjustments increase the proportion of large tributaries on the concave side of bends, especially along low‐sinuosity headwater streams.