Geomorphology and sediment regimes of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams

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Abstract

The geomorphology and sediment regimes of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES) are extremely diverse, owing in large part to the substantial spatiotemporal variability of the associated hydrological regimes. We describe the geomorphological character and sediment transport processes along IRES within the context of four geomorphological zones—upland, piedmont, lowland, and floodout—to illustrate the underpinning longitudinal trends of sediment production, transfer, and deposition that exist at the landscape scale. Many geomorphological features of IRES tend to be spatially discontinuous as a result of extended no or low-flow conditions that are punctuated by high-magnitude flood events. Diversity of geomorphology and sediment regimes both within and between the four geomorphological zones therefore promotes ecological processes and patterns in IRES that can be very distinct from perennial river systems.

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Geomorphology and sediment regimes of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams
Chapter 2.1
DOI 10.1016/B978-0-12-803835-2.00002-4
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher Academic Press
Contributing office(s) Washington Water Science Center
Description 29 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams: Ecology and management
First page 21
Last page 49
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