Meanderbelt Dynamics of the Sacramento River, California

Abstract

A 160 km-long reach of Sacramento River was studied with the objective of predicting future changes in channel planform and their effects on water-surface elevations. Planform data were used to develop regression relationships between bend radius of curvature (Rc) and both short-term (5 years) and long term (90 years) lateral migration rates (MR) and migration distances (MD). A dimensionless cutoff index (Rc/MD) was developed to predict bend cutoff occurrence. Cutoffs occur when the cutoff index value is between 1.7 and 3.7. Channel planform controls water-surface elevations and bend cutoffs can reduce upstream water-surface elevations by up to 1 meter over a wide range of discharges.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the California riparian systems conference: protection, management, and restoration for the 1990s; 1988 September 22-24; Davis, CA.

Citation

Harvey, Michael D. 1989. Meanderbelt Dynamics of the Sacramento River, California. In: Abell, Dana L., Technical Coordinator. 1989. Proceedings of the California Riparian Systems Conference: protection, management, and restoration for the 1990s; 1988 September 22-24; Davis, CA. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-110. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 54-60