Evaluation of optimal channel network and river basin heterogeneity concepts using measured flow and channel properties

Ibbitt, Richard P.

doi:10.1016/s0022-1694(96)03293-3

Cited by 39 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Real channel networks exhibit statistical variability in their topology, geometry (Veitzer and Gupta, 2000) and hydraulic geometry (Ibbitt, 1997;McKerchar et al, 1998). There is a long history of published literature in geomorphology that has been devoted to understanding this variability (Jarvis and Woldenberg, 1984).…”

Section: Geomorphologic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of coupled flow dynamics and real network structures on Hortonian scaling of peak flows

Mantilla

Gupta

Sánchez

2006

Journal of Hydrology

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We investigate how channel flow dynamics on real river networks produces scaling in peak flows. Scaling relations have been defined by log-log linearity between peak flow statistics and drainage areas for idealized mean self-similar networks like Peano and Mandelbrot Viscek. Unlike idealized basins, drainage areas and link lengths in real basins vary statistically. We use Horton-Strahler order as scale parameter instead of drainage area, and use the Hortonian framework to analyze these network structures. A river-network oriented GIS is used to extract the drainage network for the Walnut Gulch basin, Arizona in the United States. It provides the link connectivity structure and the geometric variables for numerically solving coupled link-based mass and momentum conservation equations. The equations are solved for spatially uniform and instantaneous injection of runoff under three different scenarios of flow in the channels: 1) Constant Velocity, 2) Constant Friction, and 3) Spatially Variable Friction. We find that Hortonian scaling in peak flows does not hold for the constant friction scenario. The scaling exponents of peak flows for the other two cases are larger than the scaling exponent of the peaks of the width functions. This property of scaling exponents for a real network is opposite to previous findings for idealized mean self-similar networks. An empirical scaling analysis of peak flows on the Walnut Gulch basin is briefly explained to provide preliminary empirical support to our theoretical findings.

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Section: Geomorphologic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of coupled flow dynamics and real network structures on Hortonian scaling of peak flows

Mantilla

Gupta

Sánchez

2006

Journal of Hydrology

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“…Based on this, the formulation of the optimal channel network theory was made assuming no velocity increase downstream (Rodríguez-Iturbe et al 1992). However, observations made later in New Zealand showed that the flow velocity increases downstream at a rate much greater than was widely accepted, putting in question the validity of the formulation of the optimal channel network theory (Ibbitt 1997).…”

Section: Statedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimality approaches to describe characteristic fluvial patterns on landscapes

Paik

Kumar

2010

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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Mother Nature has left amazingly regular geomorphic patterns on the Earth's surface. These patterns are often explained as having arisen as a result of some optimal behaviour of natural processes. However, there is little agreement on what is being optimized. As a result, a number of alternatives have been proposed, often with little a priori justification with the argument that successful predictions will lend a posteriori support to the hypothesized optimality principle. Given that maximum entropy production is an optimality principle attempting to predict the microscopic behaviour from a macroscopic characterization, this paper provides a review of similar approaches with the goal of providing a comparison and contrast between them to enable synthesis. While assumptions of optimal behaviour approach a system from a macroscopic viewpoint, process-based formulations attempt to resolve the mechanistic details whose interactions lead to the system level functions. Using observed optimality trends may help simplify problem formulation at appropriate levels of scale of interest. However, for such an approach to be successful, we suggest that optimality approaches should be formulated at a broader level of environmental systems' viewpoint, i.e. incorporating the dynamic nature of environmental variables and complex feedback mechanisms between fluvial and non-fluvial processes.

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“…(A spell of fine weather over 5 days, essential for completion of the measurements, is difficult to forecast in the New Zealand climate, and it would be impracticable to repeat the measurements at higher flows.) Ibbitt [1997] discusses this aspect of the measurements and shows that the type of New Zealand river of which the Ashley is typical, the value of the flow at which the measurements are made is unlikely to have a major effect upon the evaluation of the quantities such as the exponents in the downstream hydraulic geometry relationships given by LeopoM and Maddock [1953]. …”

Section: Stability Of Discharge During Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The analysis of the data and the hypothesis tests are reported by Ibbitt [1997]. The logistics of the data collection which involved 16 people in remote field locations for 5 days were significant.…”

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confidence: 99%

Data for Ashley River to test channel network and river basin heterogeneity concepts

McKerchar¹,

Ibbitt²,

Brown³

et al. 1998

Water Resources Research

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Abstract. To provide data to investigate hypotheses about the evolution of channel networks, specifically the optimal channel network concept, discharge and channel properties were measured at 336 sites in a 121 km 2 basin over a 5-day period of reasonably steady flows. The data are also suitable for investigating how discharge increases down river channels. The data collection was a major logistical exercise which involved 80 person-days in remote field locations. In the expectation that the data will be of use to other researchers, this paper describes how the data were measured, checked and archived. The archive is available at http://www.niwa.cri.nz/hydrology/ashpage.htm and includes the associated time series of streamflow at the basin outlet and the channel network as plotted on 1:50,000 scale maps. The three-digit numbers on the map link to six-or sevendigit reference numbers for each measurement site. The six-or seven-digit numbers, which mimic the tree-like structure of the stream network but which were too lengthy to display on the map, were assigned as follows. Two kilometers upstream of the stream gauge the river divides into two main channels (Figure 1), the western branch (left-hand), named the Lillburn, and the eastern branch (right-hand), named the Ashley. The first digit of the numbers assigned for Ashley sites is "1" and the first digit for Lillburn sites is "2." For the Ashley the second and third digits identify the reach number between tributaries upstream from the stream gauge, whereas for the Lillburn, this number commenced at the Ashley/Lillburn confluence. The 139

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Evaluation of optimal channel network and river basin heterogeneity concepts using measured flow and channel properties

Cited by 39 publications

References 20 publications

Role of coupled flow dynamics and real network structures on Hortonian scaling of peak flows

Role of coupled flow dynamics and real network structures on Hortonian scaling of peak flows

Optimality approaches to describe characteristic fluvial patterns on landscapes

Data for Ashley River to test channel network and river basin heterogeneity concepts

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