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Modelling the bulk flow of a bedrock-constrained, multi-channel reach of the Mekong river, Siphandone, southern Laos

Modelling the bulk flow of a bedrock-constrained, multi-channel reach of the Mekong river, Siphandone, southern Laos
Modelling the bulk flow of a bedrock-constrained, multi-channel reach of the Mekong river, Siphandone, southern Laos
The general nature of bulk flow within bedrock single-channel reaches has been considered by several studies recently. However, the flow structure of a bedrock-constrained, large river with a multiple channel network has not been investigated previously. The multiple channel network of the Siphandone wetlands in Laos, a section of the Mekong River, was modeled using a steady one-dimensional hydraulic model. The river network is characterized by a spatially-varying channel-form leading to significant changes in the bulk flow properties between and along the channels. The challenge to model the bulk flow in such a remote region was the lack of ideal boundary conditions. The flow models considered both low flow, high inbank and overbank flows and were calibrated using SPOT satellite sensor imagery and limited field data concerning water levels. The application of the model highlighted flow characteristics of a large multi-channel network and also further indicated the field data that would be required to properly characterize the flow field empirically. Important results included the observation that adjacent channels within the network had different water surface slopes for the same moments in time; thus calibration data for modelling similar systems needs to account for these significant local differences. Further, the in-channel hydraulic roughness coefficient strongly varied from one cross-section to the next (Manning’s ‘n’ range: 0.01 to 0.10). These differences were amplified during low flow but persisted in muted form during high discharges.
0197-9337
533-545
Van, Tri P.
678c411a-07a4-47a8-b96e-e97d087fc472
Carling, Paul A.
8d252dd9-3c88-4803-81cc-c2ec4c6fa687
Atkinson, P.M.
96e96579-56fe-424d-a21c-17b6eed13b0b
Van, Tri P.
678c411a-07a4-47a8-b96e-e97d087fc472
Carling, Paul A.
8d252dd9-3c88-4803-81cc-c2ec4c6fa687
Atkinson, P.M.
96e96579-56fe-424d-a21c-17b6eed13b0b

Van, Tri P., Carling, Paul A. and Atkinson, P.M. (2012) Modelling the bulk flow of a bedrock-constrained, multi-channel reach of the Mekong river, Siphandone, southern Laos. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 37, 533-545. (doi:10.1002/esp.2270).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The general nature of bulk flow within bedrock single-channel reaches has been considered by several studies recently. However, the flow structure of a bedrock-constrained, large river with a multiple channel network has not been investigated previously. The multiple channel network of the Siphandone wetlands in Laos, a section of the Mekong River, was modeled using a steady one-dimensional hydraulic model. The river network is characterized by a spatially-varying channel-form leading to significant changes in the bulk flow properties between and along the channels. The challenge to model the bulk flow in such a remote region was the lack of ideal boundary conditions. The flow models considered both low flow, high inbank and overbank flows and were calibrated using SPOT satellite sensor imagery and limited field data concerning water levels. The application of the model highlighted flow characteristics of a large multi-channel network and also further indicated the field data that would be required to properly characterize the flow field empirically. Important results included the observation that adjacent channels within the network had different water surface slopes for the same moments in time; thus calibration data for modelling similar systems needs to account for these significant local differences. Further, the in-channel hydraulic roughness coefficient strongly varied from one cross-section to the next (Manning’s ‘n’ range: 0.01 to 0.10). These differences were amplified during low flow but persisted in muted form during high discharges.

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e-pub ahead of print date: 3 January 2012
Organisations: Earth Surface Dynamics

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Local EPrints ID: 348084
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/348084
ISSN: 0197-9337
PURE UUID: 36823201-cb4f-4e3d-9958-e64bfcfa7a3f
ORCID for P.M. Atkinson: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-5489-6880

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Date deposited: 06 Feb 2013 14:56
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:47

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Contributors

Author: Tri P. Van
Author: Paul A. Carling
Author: P.M. Atkinson ORCID iD

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