Assessing the morphodynamical complexity of a large river in planning hydroeconomic measures (as exemplified by the Ob’)

Abstract

Along the entire length of a large river there is taking place a substantial change in the formation conditions and stability of the channel, the rate and character of channel deformations and, accordingly, in the possibilities of water resources utilization, transport and engineering development of the river. By parametrizing the channel processes, it is possible to rank the river sections according to the degree of complexity of the channel processes, forms of their manifestation, and to the regime of channel reconfiguration, which, in turn, determines the possibilities of planning the measures ensuring the water resources utilization. Using the Ob’ as an example, we provide a rationale for the criteria for singling out the river sections differing by the degree of complexity of the channel processes, on the basis of parameters characterizing the forms of their manifestation, the state of the channels, and the intensity of deformations. We have identified eight sections of a different length, sequentially alternating along the length of the river from the confluence of the Biya and Katun’ as far as the mouth. The ranking of the river sections permitted the future planning of the water resources utilization measures.