Author(s): Eric Larsen; Hsieh Wen Shen
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Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to describe the change over time in the shape of meander bends in a naturally developing river. The data were selected from maps of 842 miles of the Mississippi River at roughly half-century intervals spanning 165 years. The sinuosity was used to characterize bend shape at 55 bend locations selected for study. Sinuosity was found to increase in magnitude over time at the average rate of 0.003 units of sinuosity (M/L) per year. Four different bend types were defined based on sinuosity. The development over time of bend type was studied and described. Meander bends tended to evolve successively from Type I through Type TV, as defined in this report.
Year: 1989