River Dynamics: Geomorphology to Support Management

Rivers are important agents of change that shape the Earth's surface and evolve through time in response to fluctuations in climate and other environmental conditions. They are fundamental in landscape development, and essential for water supply, irrigation, and transportation. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the geomorphological processes that shape rivers and that produce change in the form of rivers. It explores how the dynamics of rivers are being affected by anthropogenic change, including climate change, dam construction, and modification of rivers for flood control and land drainage. It discusses how concern about environmental degradation of rivers has led to the emergence of management strategies to restore and naturalize these systems, and how river management techniques work best when coordinated with the natural dynamics of rivers. This textbook provides an excellent resource for students, researchers, and professionals in fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, river science, and environmental policy.

Table of Contents:
Preface; Introduction; 2. The Dynamics of Drainage Basins and Stream Networks; 3. Sediment Dynamics at Global and Drainage-Basin Scales; 4. Flow Dynamics in Rivers; 5. Sediment Transport Dynamics in Rivers; 6. Magnitude-Frequency Concepts and the Dynamics of Channel-Forming Events; 7. The Shaping of Channel Geometry; 8. Channel Planform – Controls on Development and Change; 9. The Dynamics of Meandering Rivers; 10. The Dynamics of Braided Rivers; 11. The Dynamics of Anabranching Rivers; 12. The Dynamics of River Confluences; 13. The Vertical Dimension of Rivers: Longitudinal Profiles, Profile Adjustments, and Step-Pool Morphology; 14. The Dynamics of Floodplains; 15. Human Impacts on River Dynamics; 16. River Dynamics and Management; Appendix A. Power Functions in Fluvial Geomorphology; Appendix B. Characterization of Fluvial Sediment; Appendix C. Measuring Discharge and Velocities in Rivers; Appendix D. Measurement of Sediment Transport in Rivers; List of Symbols; References; Index.

About the Author :
Bruce L. Rhoads is Professor of Geography and Geographic Information Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He has been actively engaged in research on river dynamics for over 35 years. He has been a Guggenheim Fellow and has received awards for research excellence and a distinguished research career from the American Association of Geographers. He is a Fellow of the Association of American Geographers and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Review :
'River Dynamics represents a comprehensive and concise overview of contemporary knowledge of river process and form. The text is thoroughly illustrated with relevant photographs, drawings, and graphs, and the referencing is thorough and up to date. Rhoads is skilled at providing clear explanations of complex phenomena and the book includes just enough historical perspective to allow the reader to understand the background for contemporary conceptualizations of rivers. The book starts with a thorough discussion of basic information on river process and form, and then discusses river management in a manner that effectively integrates basic and applied science. This book will provide an engaging textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses, and a resource for river-management professionals.' Ellen Wohl, Colorado State University 'This is a superb textbook on fluvial geomorphology – the book we have long been waiting for in this field. It provides a clear framework for understanding and is written in such a way, with the headings posed as questions, that we can immediately identify the key issues and content of each section. It provides detailed analysis and information on all the main topics in fluvial geomorphology, as well as a few not usually covered well. It can be used at various levels of information, from the main principles and concepts to detailed analysis of, for example, hydraulics and processes. It provides a rich source of information for undergraduates, for more specialist courses, and for fluvial management. I shall immediately recommend it as the main text for my own taught course in fluvial geomorphology. It has a copious reference list, with an excellent balance between classic references that provided the foundation of our subject and the more recent research developments, allowing the reader to appreciate how ideas and knowledge have developed to our present state of understanding, while also highlighting ongoing debates and questions. It is clearly illustrated with numerous figures to complement the explanations. It provides a firm scientific basis for sustainable management of rivers and catchments that builds on a thorough understanding of principles, processes, and dynamics.' Janet Hooke, University of Liverpool 'Bruce Rhoads draws on his unique experience to comprehensively review concepts in river dynamics. This book will be of great benefit to students, scientists, and managers of rivers by blending field and laboratory studies with theory and application.' Marwan Hassan, University of British Columbia