Author(s): Valeria Guadagno; Matthew J. Czapiga; Giuseppe Del Giudice; Cristiana Di Cristo; Diego Di Martire; Enrica Viparelli; Angelo Leopardi
Linked Author(s): Enrica Viparelli, Cristiana Di Cristo
Keywords: Braided rivers; Interferometric SAR; Active width; Hydraulic connectivity
Abstract: Characterizing the geometry of a braided river is not simple due to the remote location of several gravel braidplains and their inaccessibility during floods. To overcome these limitations, we explore if interferometric data can be used to determine the number and width of active channels, i. e. channels that actively transport sediment from upstream during floods. To this goal, interferometric data are here used to identify, through a manual procedure areas of a gravel braidplain where limited ground disturbance occurred. In particular, a temporal interval, corresponding to the time required to acquire the ~30 images, is considered in order to perform a statistically significant analysis. The final objective is to identify the same network of active channels with an automated procedure based on a connectivity code. Here we present preliminary results of this connectivity tool that reconstructs the active channel network using geometric rules based on a characteristic channel unit specified in terms of minimum width and length. Tthe considered case-study is the ~1km wide and ~5km long braidplain of the Trionto River, Calabria, Italy.
Year: 2024