Ecohydrology seminar with Andre Roy, University of Waterloo

Advances on the dynamics of gravel-bed rivers

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 - 3:30 PM TO 4:30 PM IN EIT 3142 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO

Abstract:

The objective of this presentation is to highlight recent advances in our understanding of the relationships between flow, sediment transport and bed morphology in gravel-bed rivers. We will briefly address the following themes:

• the properties and dynamics of macro-turbulent flow structures in gravel-bed rivers;
• the scaling-up of macroturbulence into very large scale flow pulsations and the morphological controls of these pulsations;
• the role of (macro)turbulent flow structures on sediment entrainment and transport of particles as bedload;
• the response of the river bed to floods associated with sediment transport.
• We will discuss some of the technical and analytical challenges associated with the measurement of processes in rivers and outline the implications of the recent advances on future avenues of research.