Fundamentals of Engineering Design
are followed by a pool of deep, slower moving water. Alternating bars, which are accumulation of
sediments positioned successively downstream on opposite sides of the stream, are generally found in
straight sections of the river. Sediment accumulations on the inside of the meander bends in meandering
streams are described as point bars. Given enough time, alternating bars will become point bars if the
stream is allowed to meander. Mid-channel bars and islands are generally associated with braided streams.
Braided channels develop in streams that have an abundant bed load, erodible banks, a highly variable
discharge, and high stream power (Knighton, 1984, pp. 144-146). The different bar types are presented
in Figure 5.23.
Figure 5.23 Bar Types
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