Collapsing mechanisms of the typical cohesive riverbank along the Ningxia-Inner Mongolia catchment

Abstract

As one of the major sediment sources in rivers, bank collapse often occurs in the Ningxia-Inner Mongolia catchment and, to date, it caused substantial social, economic and environmental problems in both local areas and downstream locations. To provide a better understanding of this phenomenon, this study consisted of modifying the existing Bank Stability and Toe Erosion Model (BSTEM), commonly used to investigate similar phenomena, introducing new assumptions and demonstrating its applicability by comparing numerical results obtained against field data recorded at six gauging stations (Qingtongxia, Shizuishan, Bayan Gol, Sanhuhekou, Zhaojunfen, and Toudaoguai). Furthermore, the impact of multiple factors typical of flood and dry seasons on the collapse rate was investigated, and insights obtained should be taken into consideration when completing future projects of river adaptation and river restoration.