Author(s): Faruk Bhuiyan; Sharif M. Tanvir
Linked Author(s): A.B.M. Faruquzzaman Bhuiyan
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: The morphodynamics of a large braided river is a complex process yet to be fully understood by research and observations. The Jamuna (Lower Brahmaputra) River has braid belt widths of 5 to 17 km. The average flood flow is about 65,000m3/s with high discharge fluctuations in a year. Widespread bank erosion and flooding along this river is a persistent phenomenon causing serious socio-economic problems. In this study, the planform characteristics of the Jamuna were investigated from satellite images collected in the low flow periods during the last three decades. For bank erosion analysis, the studied reach was divided into sub-reaches based on island-node concept of braided rivers. The stability of the nodal and island reaches were examined by assessing bankline shifting or erosion rate, changes of total width of the river and braiding indices. The correspondence between the morphological changes and the annual lumped flow parameter computed from the annual discharge hydrographs is examined. This study shows the importance of flow variability on the morphological evolution of the braided river.
Year: 2009