Author(s): R. Pepijn van Denderen; Suzanne J.M.H. Hulscher; Ralph M.J. Schielen

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Keywords: Side channels; Aggradation; River management; Flood reduction; Rhine branches

Abstract: Side channels are a common intervention to reduce the flood levels or to increase the ecological value in the river. Most of the constructed side channels aggrade. We apply a simple method to estimate the development and its time scale of a side channel system. Side channels are small secondary channels that are connected to a significantly larger main channel. In many rivers in Europe and North America, side channels disappeared due to river regulation measures. Nowadays, side channels are (re)constructed to lower flood levels and to increase the ecological value of the river. In the Netherlands, the Room for the River programme was initiated to increase the discharge capacity of the Dutch Rhine branches. Since 1996 more than 20 side channels have been constructed. These constructed side channels show aggradation and this is in many cases undesired. Now, after 20 years, we are able to evaluate the development of the side channels. Using measurements and numerical computations, we try to find rules of thumb for a side channel design such that the aggradation in side channels is minimal and the aggradation rate is small. Here, we will focus on the aggradation in the side channel system near Gameren in the river Waal.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/978-981-11-2731-1_106-cd

Year: 2018