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<br /> <br />484 <br /> <br />Topographic Response of a Bar <br /> <br />calculations predict that the secondary channel will fill slowly. The rapid rate of <br />scour at a discharge of 475 m3/s apparently has been sufficient to maintain the <br />secondary channel. When the calculations of bar evolution at 475 m3/s is repeated <br />using a larger channel width and area in the vicinity of the constriction, the rate of <br />scour in the secondary channel decreases. Thus, it appears that the constriction of <br />channel width and area is sufficient to prevent a net accumulation of sediment in <br />the secondary channel over a period of years. <br /> <br />Conclusions <br /> <br />The conclusions of our investigation are: <br />1. The fully nonlinear flow model described by Nelson and Smith 11988a,bl <br />predicts flow structure, sediment transport rates and temporal evolution of channe <br />topography all of which are in good agreement with observed conditions in the <br />Green River near Ouray, Utah. <br />2. Over the past 30 years, construction and operation of a reservoir, as well as <br />natural variation in the snowmelt runoff, have caused substantial and persistent <br />year-to-year differences in the magnitude of discharge equalled or exceeded less <br />than 10 percent of the time in the Green River near Ouray, Utah. Annual sediment <br />loads have varied accordingly. . The quantity of sediment transported by a given <br />discharge, and the approXimate balance between sediment supplied and tra.risported <br />within appreciable reaches, however, have not been affected. The bankfull channel <br />of the Green River has adjusted slowly to the large changes in annual flood <br />discharges. <br />3. The flew velocity field and distribution of boundary shear stress are <br />- determined primarily by bed topography and longitudinal variations in channel <br />width. At all discharges investigated, streamline curvature exceeded channel <br />curvature. Stream line curvature increased significantly as discharge decreased. <br />4. Channel topography changed very slowly at a discharge of 275 m3/s, which <br />was approximately the discharge when the topography was surveyed. Hence, the <br />baseline topography appears to be nearly the steady state bed configuration for 275 <br />m3/s. <br />'-.. 5. Channel topography adjusts relatively quickly to discharges appreciably <br />I different from 275 m3/s. Initially, divergence of the bed-material transport rate <br />, were locally large. Extensive scour and/or fill occurred at most Cross sections at <br />i discharges appreciably greater or less than 275 m3/s. Divergence of the sediment <br />;---lransport field tended to decrease as bed topography evolved. <br />6. Compared to the baseline configuration, topography of the channel bar was <br />greatly enhanced following a simulated flow of 475 m3/s for 2 days. Sediment is <br />deposited on the bar surface and is eroded from the primary and secondary channels, <br />except in the downstream part of the secondary channel where some sediment is <br />deposited. <br />7. Compared to the bankfull topography, bartopograpby was diminished <br />followin~ a flow of 50 m3/s for 2 days. The primary channel aggraded ...1 m along. <br />most of Its length, while the bar crest and secondary channels were emergent. <br />8. Model calculations predict that sediment will be deposited on the bar crest at <br />all discharges large enough to cover the entire bar to a depth of several centimeters <br />or more. Erosion of the bar crest was not indicated at any discharge. Actual <br />deposition of sediment on the bar crest probably is slightly greater than predicted <br />by the model, because the advection of suspended sediment from areas of relatively <br />large boundary shear stress into areas of relatively small boundary shear stress is <br />neglected. The bar crest is most likely deflated by wind-induced waves and/or wind <br />transport of sand when the bar crest is emergent and dry. <br />