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Chapter 17: Problem 12

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. How does a braided stream differ from a meandering stream? (D)

Short Answer

Expert verified
A braided stream is a network of interlaced channels separated by sand and gravel bars, formed when sediment load is high, and the river's capacity to transport sediment is low. In contrast, a meandering stream is a single channel with sinuous, looping curves that develop on flatter terrains with easily erodible sediments. The formation of braided streams is influenced by factors such as high sediment load, fluctuations in water flow, and coarse-grained sediments, while meandering streams are affected by erodible sediments, low sediment load, and flatter terrains.

Step by step solution

01

Define a braided stream

A braided stream is a network of channels that split apart and join together, forming a complex pattern resembling a braid. These streams are formed when the sediment load in the river is high, and the river's capacity to transport the sediment is low, leading to deposition and the creation of braided channels.
02

Define a meandering stream

A meandering stream is a single channel with a series of sinuous, looping curves that meander laterally across the landscape. Meandering streams generally develop on flatter terrains with sediments such as sand and silt that are easily eroded. The meanders form due to the alternation of erosion along the outer bends of the stream and deposition along the inner bends, which causes meanders to migrate over time.
03

Compare the formation process of the two streams

Braided streams develop when the sediment load is high, and the stream's capacity to transport the sediment is low, leading to deposition of sediments and the creation of multiple channels. In contrast, meandering streams form when the sediment load is relatively low, and the stream erodes its banks, producing sinuous curves that migrate laterally across the landscape.
04

Describe the characteristic features of braided and meandering streams

The main features of a braided stream consist of a network of interlaced channels separated by sand and gravel bars, known as mid-channel bars or braid bars. These channels frequently change their course, and the whole braided pattern often shifts during floods. On the other hand, meandering streams exhibit a single channel with sinuous, looping curves that continually migrate laterally. These streams also display point bars, which are depositional features formed on the inside bends of meanders, and cut banks, which are eroded areas on the outside bends of meanders.
05

Discuss factors affecting the development of braided and meandering streams

The formation of braided streams is influenced by factors such as high sediment load, fluctuations in water flow, and the presence of coarse-grained sediments like sand and gravel. These factors lead to frequent sediment deposition, resulting in the creation of multiple channels. Meandering streams develop due to the presence of easily erodible sediments such as sand and silt, relatively low sediment load, and the absence of high sedimentation rates that would otherwise generate mid-channel bars. The geomorphology of the landscape also plays a significant role in forming meandering streams, as they generally require flatter terrains to develop their sinuous pattern.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. Distinguish between stream competence and capacity. (B)

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. Explain the difference between a slow-onset flood and a flash flood, and describe the causes of each. (E)

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. How does discharge vary according to the stream's length, the climate, and position along the stream course? (C)

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. What is the recurrence interval of a flood, and how is it related to the annual probability? (F)

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. Describe how streams and running water erode the Earth's surface. (B)
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