A case of severe channel-morphology change due to human influences in the Touqian River, Taiwan

M. W. Huang, K. W. Li, J. J. Liao, Y. W. Pan, D. H. Lee

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

One reach that locates in the midstream of the Touqian River in northern Taiwan was subjected to various human disturbances; the channel morphology in the reach changed severely as a result. This case study looks into the role of human disturbance on channel evolution by exploring the chronological change in channel morphology due to human influences in the studied reach. The major human influences in this reach include gravel mining, bridge construction and its protection works, and weir construction. Channel morphology downstream the bridge was transformed from an alluvial channel to a bedrock channel since the installation of a massive protection work. Later on, the bridge and its protection work were broken in recent years. After their failure, the reach started to take re-deposition and has returned to an alluvial channel. Chronological data including aerial photographs, cross-section surveys and hydrological data were compiled and analyzed. Also, field geology was conducted to characterize the distribution of bedrock outcrop and the erosion processes in the studied reach. According to the study results, the maximum depth of bedrock incision exceeds 15 meters. Main influences can be attributed to various human activities and the low resistance of young sedimentary rocks to erosion. The case study, as a fine example, demonstrates the processes of channel-morphology change due to human disturbances.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationScour and Erosion - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Scour and Erosion, ICSE 2016
EditorsJohn Harris, Richard Whitehouse, Sarah Moxon
PublisherCRC Press/Balkema
Pages785-790
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781138029798
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Event8th International Conference on Scour and Erosion, ICSE 2016 - Oxford, United Kingdom
Duration: 2016 Sept 122016 Sept 15

Publication series

NameScour and Erosion - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Scour and Erosion, ICSE 2016

Other

Other8th International Conference on Scour and Erosion, ICSE 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityOxford
Period16-09-1216-09-15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Water Science and Technology
  • Ocean Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A case of severe channel-morphology change due to human influences in the Touqian River, Taiwan'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this