Thesis (M.S.)--Wisconsin. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-100).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 199-225).

Thesis (M.S.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Geological Sciences & Environmental Studies Department, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2007. Graduate Programme in Geography. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-82). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR29578

Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2005. Graduate Programme in Geography. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-133). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url%5Fver=Z39.88-2004&res%5Fdat=xri:pqdiss &rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR11877

No description available.

No description available.

Early 1960's meander rectification of the Ste-Marguerite River, Quebec, Canada, was undertaken in order to facilitate highway construction along the valley bottom. Through analysis of thalweg elevation and grain size data, the fourfold response of the river since rectification has been determined: (1) 1 m of bed incision in the upper 4 km and 2m of bed aggradation in the lower 2 km of the 6 km straightened reach; (2) coarsening (up to 20 mm) of the pavement D50 and D84 in the area of maximum degradation; (3) lateral erosion of the channel into three high terraces; and (4) regrowth of three meanders within the reach. / Estimations indicate that reprofiling and pavement coarsening have been most important in reducing the disequilibrium in gravel transport rates due to rectification. Model simulations of the response to rectification have been validated against field data and the half-time scale of response has been estimated at 10 years. A further 10 cm of degradation upstream, 17 cm of aggradation downstream and 10 mm of pavement coarsening is predicted for the next century.

The wandering river pattern represents one of the last remaining river patterns that are not well understood. Many aspects of these rivers are not well known, particularly the processes of their creation and maintenance. The term wandering describes gravel or cobble bedded rivers, transitional between braided and meandering, with multiple channel sections around semi-permanent islands connected by single channel sections. This dissertation investigates the controls on the characteristics of wandering rivers within the Miramichi region of New Brunswick through time and at three nested spatial scales. / At the scale of rivers, three factors appear to be needed for wandering to occur: (1) wide valleys, (2) channel energy between braiding and meandering, and (3) avulsion triggers, frequent overbank flows caused by icejams in the Miramichi. Principal component analysis showed that larger wandering rivers displayed greater anabranching intensity than smaller rivers, perhaps related to higher stage ice jams within larger rivers. / At the scale of channels, the wandering pattern of the Renous River was found to be in a state of dynamic equilibrium, with channel creation balanced by channel abandonment. The anabranch cycle model was developed to illustrate the temporal dynamics of anabranch creation, maintenance and abandonment within wandering rivers. / Also at the channel scale, principal component analysis of channel reaches within the Renous River displayed differences in grain size and hydraulic efficiency between side-channels and main-channels. Energy and sediment mobility within side-channels was related to their formation, maintenance and abandonment. Energy and sediment mobility within main-channels was related to mega bedforms called bedwaves. The apex of some bedwaves occurred at diffluences. / At the scale of channel elements, diffluences are stable where a large bar is formed and accretes upstream, creating a large reservoir of sediment upstream of anabranch channels to buffer their degradation. Where diffluences are unstable, a large bar forms within one anabranch channel to partially block flow and may cause its abandonment. The dissertation illustrates that within wandering rivers, processes occurring at multiple spatial and temporal scales interact to create and maintain the pattern.

Meandering rivers and associated vegetation communities are highly dynamic systems that interact through various geomorphic and successional processes. However, much is still unknown about these interactions. Studies that focus on system integration rather than examining fluvial-related and vegetation dynamics individually will benefit science and the management of river systems. Tree communities in riparian areas, although consisting mainly of bottomland hardwood species, can be very diverse. Diversity has been linked to environmental influences such as meander migration, and changes in elevation and soil texture. This study focused on a single meander bend of the lower Trinity River in southeast Texas. The purpose of this research was to examine interactions between soil texture variation and the establishment and succession of riparian tree communities, as such interactions contribute to the formation of complex riparian landscapes. A bend-scale approach was utilized to provide a detailed study of vegetation pattern and of soil texture resulting from sedimentation processes, to examine for any relationships between them. Aerial imagery was used to assist in interpreting patterns of vegetation succession. The field portion of the study collected species and size class data on trees and soil samples for textural analysis. These data were analyzed separately to understand variations in tree communities and soils, but also together, to determine any relationships between soil texture and what tree communities are able to establish. Mean annual flow data from gauges upstream and downstream of the site were analyzed for changes in flow following dam construction upstream, as river regulation could potentially alter the vegetation establishment regime. Results showed five distinct communities or zones of vegetation. Soils on the site were strongly skewed toward finer sands and high silt and clay content. Zone locations and community structure were not directly related to soil texture; however, given species had clear relationships of relative density or dominance with specific soil textures. No changes in flow were noted between pre- and post- dam construction periods, indicating that the riparian system at this site may operate under near-natural conditions. Further studies in species-soil texture interactions, and for rare and invasive species in particular, may prove beneficial in improving understanding of the complex functioning of riparian systems and in providing valuable information for their management and restoration.