Church and Rood Alluvial River Channel Regime Data [1983]

Abstract

Investigation of downstream hydraulic geometry in rivers in order to seek a rational basis for river behavior requires that data be properly comparable. Comparisons should be restricted to measurements that have been obtained by similar means: consistent river behavior should be sought only along reaches or amongst rivers that are homogeneous with respect to the main governing conditions of hydrology, sediment supply and alluvial materials. Data reported in the literature are usually insufficient to allow investigator assuredly to meet these criteria. This catalogue defines a set of consistent criteria for description of river channels. Although more or less arbitrary, they conform with usually preferred field practices. Ten river channel morphological types are defines as a basis for discriminating channels that may be compared meaningfully. About 500 sets of data are compiled that met the criteria and are drawn from a wide search of the literature. Almost all are located in humid or semi-arid temperature environments. At the minimum, discharge, gradient, section mean geometry, and bed material size must be given the basis of the data must be known. For many data sets, additional information is referred to in a "dictionary" of sources. Many River stations have more than one entry, since data sets may be available for more than one discharge.