Channel-reach morphology in mountain drainage basins

Research Article| May 01, 1997 Channel-reach morphology in mountain drainage basins David R. Montgomery; David R. Montgomery 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John M. Buffington John M. Buffington 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information David R. Montgomery 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 John M. Buffington 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1997) 109 (5): 596–611. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1997)109<0596:CRMIMD>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation David R. Montgomery, John M. Buffington; Channel-reach morphology in mountain drainage basins. GSA Bulletin 1997;; 109 (5): 596–611. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1997)109<0596:CRMIMD>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract A classification of channel-reach morphology in mountain drainage basins synthesizes stream morphologies into seven distinct reach types: colluvial, bedrock, and five alluvial channel types (cascade, step pool, plane bed, pool riffle, and dune ripple). Coupling reach-level channel processes with the spatial arrangement of reach morphologies, their links to hillslope processes, and external forcing by confinement, riparian vegetation, and woody debris defines a process-based framework within which to assess channel condition and response potential in mountain drainage basins. Field investigations demonstrate characteristic slope, grain size, shear stress, and roughness ranges for different reach types, observations consistent with our hypothesis that alluvial channel morphologies reflect specific roughness configurations adjusted to the relative magnitudes of sediment supply and transport capacity. Steep alluvial channels (cascade and step pool) have high ratios of transport capacity to sediment supply and are resilient to changes in discharge and sediment supply, whereas low-gradient alluvial channels (pool riffle and dune ripple) have lower transport capacity to supply ratios and thus exhibit significant and prolonged response to changes in sediment supply and discharge. General differences in the ratio of transport capacity to supply between channel types allow aggregation of reaches into source, transport, and response segments, the spatial distribution of which provides a watershed-level conceptual model linking reach morphology and channel processes. These two scales of channel network classification define a framework within which to investigate spatial and temporal patterns of channel response in mountain drainage basins. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.