GEOB 103 Study Guide - Braided River, Buller River, Condit Hydroelectric Project
Document Summary
Sediment is transported from erosional sources to depositional sinks. Deposits of sediment transported by a stream are referred to as alluvium (which are typically well sorted) Alluvium differs from sedimentary rocks in that alluvium is unconsolidated. Importance: alluvium contains placer deposits for human development, including agriculture, transportation routes and communication corridors (gold, platinum); it is used asaggregate for construction, the deposits are oftencenters. Our focus: depositional landforms and processes shaping them. Within the stream channel we find bars, pools and riffles. Accumulations of sediment within the stream channel, usually along the marginsof the channel. The main flow of the river diverts around the bars the deepest and fastest part of the channel is called the thalweg. If we travel down the thalweg, we encounter alternating sections of deep, slow flow, usually right beside the center of a bar and shallow rapid flow near thedownstream end of a bar. The slow flowing deep areas adjacent to the bars are called pools.
