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Spatio-temporal variability of channel behavior in relation to channel braiding: a milieu of topological braid modeling and quantitative traditional analysis of Chel basin (North Bengal)

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Abstract

Channel behavior is related to the existing channel processes that lead to frequent changes in the water and sediment flow pattern of a river. The channel behavior reflects its tendency of auto-cyclic cut and fill processes. On the piedmont surface, the channel hydraulic geometry transforms due to the huge supply of bed load and the fluctuation of flood discharge. The heterogeneity of load and nature of load dispersal favors braiding of a river which adjusts with auto-cyclic processes of cut and fill. In the present study, conventional models for braiding proposed by Brice (BI: 3.69–9.04), Rust (BP: 5.1–12.3) and Richards (modified) (4.7–10.9) have attempted to associate them with channel network analysis by computing vertex detour index (VDI) with temporal changes, eta index, theta index, pie index, planform index (PFI), flow geometry index (FGI), and execution of the planner circuit model of the braided course based on link-node ratios like α index, β index, and ƴ index. The standard sinuosity index (SSI) was calculated to be maximum (1.11) for the reach 4 with the average range of 1.027–1.045 in 2016 keeping the same persisting trend over 1981. The flow geometry index is 107.4 compared to the planform index of braid accounting for 0.35 which held flood as the most responsible factor. In 2016, the channel network of river Chel revealed moderate channel efficiency with a greater degree of channel diversion along the bars (103–111). Moreover, complex or volatility of braid vs. sinuosity has been noticed in case of the river which unshadows no spectacular trend over time.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to the secondary sourced literatures for data and relevant information that shaped up the cognitive and conceptual framework of the work and all those who were associated with this study especially Mr. Mihir Kumar Roy who helped during field, correction of the paper as well as local inhabitants who remained anonymous to the authors.

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Correspondence to Debarshi Ghosh.

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Ghosh, D., Saha, S. Spatio-temporal variability of channel behavior in relation to channel braiding: a milieu of topological braid modeling and quantitative traditional analysis of Chel basin (North Bengal). Model. Earth Syst. Environ. 5, 1663–1678 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-019-00616-9

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