A cellular model of river meandering

Abstract

River meandering has been successfully modelled using vector based methods, but these can not simulate multiple or braided channels. Conversely, cellular braided river models fail to replicate meandering. This paper describes a new method to simulate river meandering within a cellular model (CAESAR). A novel technique for determining bend radius of curvature on a cell by cell basis is described, that impotantly allows regional information on bend curvature to be transferred to local points. The local curvature is then used to drive meandering and lateral erosion through two methods. Key difficulties are identified, including the deposition of material on point bars and cut off development, but the method illustrates how meandering can be integrated with a cellular frameworks. This demonstrates the potential to produce a single model that can incorporate both meandering and braiding. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.