Author(s): Yuchen Zheng; Jiawei Lin; Saiyu Yuan
Linked Author(s): Jiawei Lin, Saiyu Yuan, Yuchen Zheng
Keywords: Open-channel confluence large wood laboratory study
Abstract: Large wood transport plays a crucial role in river hydrodynamics, aquatic ecology, and geomorphology. However, wood deposition can also lead to channel blockages, posing potential flood hazards along the riverbanks. Previous studies have primarily focused on large wood transport in open channels, revealing that flow velocity and wood characteristics significantly influence the transport process. When two flows converge, the complex flow structure can profoundly impact wood transport dynamics, yet research on this specific aspect remains limited. Therefore, this study addresses this gap by conducting flume experiments near a confluence. The findings show that mainstream-released wood was more concentrated compared to tributary-released wood during the transport, and both were observed within a limited portion of the channel following its preferential pathway. Both are influenced by the magnitude of tributary flow, while wood released from the tributary is also affected by the inlet point. This study provides a detailed analysis of wood trajectories, offering insights that can enhance understanding of wood transport processes near confluences in river systems and support practical management and ecological assessments.
Year: 2025