Looping Network Meetings

#58 November 18, 2024

Monday 15:00 (Paris/Warsaw time)

Nathan Moore (University of Arkansas)

Utilizing a New Framework to Determine Stability of Loops within the Sacramento San-Joaquin Delta

Abstract:
Channel network structures often contain loops, complimenting the more common dendritic morphology. Loops are redundant network structures: there is more than one channelized pathway around them, suggesting that particular hydrodynamics are required to keep both channels open. Using a new framework, it is possible to conduct a stability analysis of each loop based upon their lengths and the flows through them. A stable loop is one that is expected to grow back via erosion if one of the channels is filled in with sediment. We explore loop stability in the Sacramento San-Joaquin Delta where 25 elementary loops (consisting of a single loop) and 88 compound loops (composed of elementary loops) are found. Flows through the network are resolved at 30 minute resolution by the validated CASCaDE model for two water years; one of which had a significant flood. Initial results have found that 69% of all loops within the system were stable while the remaining loops had at least one unstable channel segment. Our work investigates the stability of a field scale delta channel network for the first time and, if validated, will provide valuable new insight into the sites of stability and stress in these important coastal regions.

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