Morphological Characteristics of the Gianh River (From Co Cang to Cua Gianh) in Relation to the Erosion and Accumulation

Abstract

On the basis of morphological characteristics and erosion - accumulation of sediment, it is possible to divide the stretch of the Gianh River from Co Cang to Cua Gianh (about 54km in length) into 3 sections as follows: Meandering channel (from Co Cang to Tien Xuan Isles): the length of the channel is 27.69km and the width of the channel is 80-250m. The channel is in the form of a meandering, narrow riverbed, flow plays a dominant role, deposition activities develop strongly at the convex side, while erosion occurs strongly in the concave side (cut side); Braided channel (from Tien Xuan Isles to Quang Phu): the length of the channel is 17.06km and the width of the channel is 800-2,200m. The channel is straight, the river bed is large and the depth of the river bed is 2-11m. Sedimentation occurs mainly at the bottom of the channel and creates bar in the middle of the channel; Straight channel (from Quang Phu to Cua Gianh): the length of the channel is 9.23km and the width of the channel is 800-1,000m. The channel is straight and the depth of the river bed is 8-12.5m. In addition to the role of river flow, it is strongly influenced by marine dynamics. The erosion and accretion activities occur mainly in estuaries. The results above show trend of river development: i) Meandering channel is the most vulnerable to changes for morphology of channel by erosion and accretion of sediment and can create 1-2 horseshoe pools by the river change line; ii) Braided channel mainly changes in the bottom of channel by the formation of channel bar; iii) Straight channel mainly changes in the estuary (the mouth of the river can be moved, enlarged or narrowed).