XXXI IAHR CONGRESS 1397

SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IN KULIM RIVER, MALAYSIA

CHANG CHUN KIAT
1
, AMINUDDIN AB GHANI
2
,
NOR AZAZI ZAKARIA
3
and ROZI ABDULLAH
4

1
Research Student, River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC),
Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
(Tel: +604-5941035, Fax: +604-5941036, e-mail: redac10@eng.usm.my)
2
Assoc. Prof. & Deputy Director, REDAC, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains
Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
(Tel: +604-5941035, Fax: +604-5941036, e-mail: redac02@eng.usm.my)
3
Assoc. Prof. & Director, REDAC, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300
Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
(Tel: +604-5937788, Fax: +604-5941009, e-mail: redac01@eng.usm.my)
4
Assoc. Prof. & Lecturer, School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti
Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
(Tel: +604-5937788, Fax: +604-5941009, e-mail: cerozi@eng.usm.my)

Abstract
Kulim River catchment is located in the southern part of the state of Kedah in the
northwestern corner of Peninsular Malaysia. Kulim River slopes are steep and the channel
elevation drops from 100m down to 18m average mean sea level at the central area of the
Kulim River catchment. Currently, the catchment area is undergoing rapid urban development
with oil palm and rubber plantation being replaced by rapid urbanization and this will result in
discharge and bed erosion increment or scouring and deposition. Frequently floods that occur
in Kulim River Catchment has caused extensive damage and inconvenience to the community
especially floods event in October 2003 which exceeds 100 year ARI. Hence, previous studies
for Kulim River (DID 1996, Yahaya 1999, Lee 2001, Ibrahim 2002, Koey 2003) were
conducted to determine the river behavior and the effectiveness of the flood mitigation
projects due to the rapid urbanization development. However, previous results of sediment
data and river cross section based on the observed data are up to the year 1999. Thus, this
paper describes the analyses and evaluation on sediment transport for Kulim River catchment
by using newly observed data in 2004.

Keywords: Kulim River; Sediment transport; River behavior; Flood mitigation; Bed erosion

1. INTRODUCTION
Effect of rapid urbanization has accelerated impact on the catchment hydrology and
geomorphology. This development which takes place in river catchment areas will cause
dramatic increase in the surface runoff and resulting in higher sediment yield. When this
happens, it not only affects river morphology but cause instability in the river channel and it
1398 September 11~16, 2005, Seoul, Korea

may also cause serious damage to hydraulic structures along the river and reduce the channel
capacity to convey the flood to downstream. Besides, it has also become the main cause for
serious flooding in urban areas. Therefore, it is necessary to predict and evaluate the river
channel stability due to the existing and future development. This study proceeds at Kulim
River in Kedah state, Malaysia, to determine river behaviors and the effectiveness of the flood
mitigation projects due to changes made by nature or human.

2. STUDY AREA
The study area is located at the southern part of the state of Kedah in the northwestern
corner of Peninsular Malaysia (Fig. 1). It lies within the district of Kulim and upstream of
Seberang Perai in Penang. Kulim River catchment consists of 15 subcatchments, with the
total catchment area of 130km
2
. Kulim river tributaries, include Tebuan River, Kilang Sago
Monsoon Drain, Wang Pinang River, Keladi River and Klang Lama River drain the urban
conurbation of Kulim extending from town to the north. Downstream of Kulim town, the
catchment comprises mainly rubber and oil palm estate located mainly at the confluences of
Kulim River tributaries. The study reach covers about 15km of Kulim River (Fig. 2), from the
upstream (CH 11800) to the state boundary between Kedah and Penang (CH 10) and futher
2.5km downstream at the Ara Kuda gauging station (CH 01). At the headwaters, the Kulim
catchment is hilly and densely forested and Kulim River arises on the western slopes of
Gunung Bongsu Range and flowing in a north-westerly direction, and joined Keladi River in
the vicinity of Kulim town. The river slopes are steep and the channel elevation drops from
500m to 20m average mean sea level (amsl) over a distance of 9km. The central area of the
catchment is undulating with elevations ranging from 100m down to 18m average mean sea
level.
The Kulim Structure Plan, 1990-2010 has outlined development strategies for the region.
Currently the catchment area is undergoing rapid urban development with oil palm and rubber
plantation being replaced by rapid urbanization especially construction for housing estate and
on-going 1450 ha Kulim Hi-Tech industrial Park which will cause impacts to the catchment
due to the increase of impervious area. Flooding at Kulim River has been attributed to
overbank spill from rivers and tributaries arising from a number of causes, such as undersized
river channel and drains to cater flood discharge, high channel roughness, bank irregularity
and in-river vegetation, siltation, blockages by debris and refuse. Siltation at study area has
been identified as one of the common causes of such flooding brought about by soil erosion at
constructions sites. Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Kedah has reported that the
rivers have to be desilted typically every 2 to 3 years with removal of one metre thick of silt
(DID, 1996).

3. STUDY APPROACH
In order to study the sediment transport in the study area, it is important to understand
sediment transport process which is important in solving river engineering problem. However,
the data including river survey geometry data, sediment data and hydrology data were limited
XXXI IAHR CONGRESS 1399


from the previous studies (DID, 1996, Yahaya 1999, Lee 2001, Koey 2003) in Kulim River.
Hence, the result from the present study using newly data up to 2004 will be calibrated and
validated with the present condition and used to predict river stability for future development.
As a result, the main purpose of the present study is to evaluate river stability over a 13 years
period by considering the effect of changes in cross section and sediment size.

3.1 SEDIMENT DATA COLLECTION
Field measurements were obtained along the selected cross section at several study sites at
Kulim River Catchment by using Hydrological Procedure (DID 1976, DID 1979) and recent
manuals (Yuqian 1989, USACE 1995, Edwards & Glysson 1999, Lagasse et al. 2001,
Richardson et al. 2001). A summary of data collection including flow discharge, suspended
load and bed load during April 1999 by Yahaya is shown in Table 1. Data collection
including bed material and bed load have been going on from October to December 2004 and
January 2005 for sediment transport analysis.

3.2 RIVER SURVEY GEOMETRY DATA
The river survey geometry data in September 1991 is provided by Department of Irrigation
and Drainage (DID) Kulim/Bandar Bahru. However, field measurements including bed
elevation, thalweg and water surface were carried out at several cross sections during October
to December 2004.

4. SEDIMENT TRANSPORT ANALYSIS

4.1 SEDIMENT TRANSPORT EQUATION ASSESSMENT
The analysis for a total of 16 set of data from Yahaya (1999) based on average size of
sediment (d
50
) have been obtained for four sediment transport equations including Yang,
Engelund & Hansen, Ackers & White and Graf equations. The data were analyzed and
evaluated using the above sediment transport equations and the result shows that Graf
equation yielded the highest percentage of discrepancy ratio (0.5 2.0) with 44% followed by
Yang equation at 19% (Table 2). These poor performances can be attributed from the
difference in sediment availability from the source, composition of sediment and river
configuration in Malaysia.
Mathematical model, such as FLUVIAL-12 can be used to study sediment transport for a
particular river reach. The model is formulated and developed for water and sediment routing
in man-made or natural channel (Chang 1993). The combined effects of river hydraulics,
sediment transport and river channel changes are simulated for a given flow period. The
accuracy of sediment routing depends on the validity of the sediment transport equation used
in the model. In order to select a equation for sediment routing, Graf, Yang, Engelund-Hansen,
Ackers-White and Meyer-Peter-Muller equation were tested and computed results were
compared with the observed data (DID 1991). The simulation results of FLUVIAL-12
(Manning Roughness Coefficient, n = 0.040) shown in Fig. 3 indicates that revised Ackers-
1400 September 11~16, 2005, Seoul, Korea

White equation gives better results which best reproduce the observed river profile for CH
5400 to CH 2600. The study show that the simulation results based on FLUVIAL-12 able to
predict sediment transport for Kulim River.

4.2 BED MATERIAL SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS
The data for bed material were obtained by grab sampling at CH 1000 and CH 01 on April
1999 for the reach 3.5km as shown in Figure 4. Average bed material size (d
50
) varies from
3.00 mm to 4.00 mm between CH 1000 and CH 01. Figure 5 depicts the field measurement
between October 2004 to January 2005 at CH 11800 (Upstream) and CH 1000 (Downstream).
The average bed material size (d
50
) varies from 0.95 mm to 0.70 mm between CH 11800 and
CH 1000 for 11.5km reach. The summary of the mean sediment size of bed material is shown
in Table 3. The average mean sediment size (d
50
) at CH 1000 change from very fine gravel
(3.60mm) to fine sand (0.70mm) over 5 years period. Urbanization and the sand mining
activities in Kulim River catchment may have affected the river equilibrium and caused
variation in sediment distribution along the river.

4.3 TYPICAL CROSS SECTION CHANGES
The comparison between cross section provided by DID (1991) and field measurement
after November 2004 flood show that there has been a change in cross section (Fig. 6). The
channel bed profile has gradually reduced within 13 years period. Thalweg at the CH 11800
has changed from 24.58m to 22.85m and thalweg at the CH 1000 has changed from 15.30m
to 12.00m. The results of cross section changes showed that steep slope in Kulim River has
induced higher discharge. Besides, it is also associated with the spatial variation in sediment
transport. The changes in river bed profile may be attribute to the erosion or deposition along
the banks or the channel width.

5. CONCLUSIONS
River is a dynamic system governed by hydraulic and sediment transport proccess. Over
time, the river response by changing in channel cross section, increased or decreased sediment
carrying capacity, erosion and deposition along the channel, which affect bank stability and
even morphology changes. As a result, sediment size and cross section in Kulim River
subjected to significant changes in a 15km reach over 13 years period. However, in order to
study morphological changes of Kulim River, a long term-simulation by using mathematical
model, FLUVIAL-12 and InfoWorks RS for water and sediment routing, will be developed
and tested with field data up to year 2004. The model, which is applicable to alluvial streams
with erodible banks, may be employed to simulate stream bed and width changes. This paper
has attempted to give an overview of the channel changes and sediment transport phenomena
which cause problems with river bank and bed stability in Kulim River. In general the Kulim
River is in equilibrium or slightly degrading, that is, being deepened by erosion. Therefore, it
is necessary to predict the river channel stability that will happen due to the existing and
future development in Kulim River catchments area. As a result, a design for stable channel
XXXI IAHR CONGRESS 1401


for Kulim River based on the long-term simulation by using FLUVIAL-12 and InfoWorks RS
model will be made.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors gratefully acknowledge Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID)
Kulim/Bandar Bahru for providing river survey geometry data and all information about
Kulim River catchment and also DID Hydrology & Water Resources Division for providing
hydrology data in this study. The authors would also like to thank all undergraduate and
postgraduate students and REDACs staff for their involvement in completion of this paper.

REFERENCES
Chang, H. H. (1993). FLUVIAL-12: Mathematical Model for Erodible Channel. San Diego,
California.
Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia. (1976). River Discharge Measurement By
Current Meter Hydrological Procedure No. 15
Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia. (1977). The Determination of Suspended
Sediment Discharge Hydrological Procedure No. 19
Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia. (1996). Study on Flood Mitigation and
Drainage Master Plan for Kulim and its surroundings, Kedah Darul Aman.
Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia. (2003). River Sediment Data Collection and
Analysis Study.
Edwards, T. K. & Glysson G. D. (1999). Field Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment.
U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, Book, Chapter C2.
Ibrahim, N. A. (2002). Evaluation and Development of Sediment Transport Equations for
Kinta River Basins, Kulim River and Kerayong River. MSc. Thesis. Penang : Universiti
Sains Malaysia.
Koay, B. C. (2004). Evaluation of River Equilibrium: Case Study of Kulim River. Final Year
Project Thesis. Penang : Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Lagasse, P. F., Schall, J. D. & Richardson, E. V. (2001). Stream Stability at Highway
Structures, US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
Publication No. FHWA NHI 01-002 (Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 20), 3rd Edition
Lee, C. B. (2001). Application of River Modeling (Fluvial-12): Case Studies of Kulim River
and Melaka River. Final Year Project Thesis. Penang : Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Richardson, E. V., Simons, D. B. & Lagasse, P. F. (2001). River Engineering for Highway
Encroachments Highways in The River Enviroment, US Department of Transportation,
Federal Highway Administration. Publication No. FHWA NHI 01-004 (Hydraulic Design
Series Number 6).
United States Army Corps of Engineers. (1995). Sedimentation Investigations of Rivers And
Reservoirs. USACE Engineering and Design Manual. Publication No. EM 1110-2-4000.
1402 September 11~16, 2005, Seoul, Korea

Yahaya, N. K. (1999). Development of Sediment Rating Curves for Rivers In Malaysia: Case
Studies of Pari, Kerayong and Kulim Rivers. MSc. Thesis. Penang : Universiti Sains
Malaysia.
Yuqian, L. (1989). Manual On Operational Methods for The Measurement of Sediment
Transport. World Meteorological Organisation Operational Hydrology Report No. 29.


XXXI IAHR CONGRESS 1403


Table 1. Range of Field Data for Yahaya (1999)
No. of
Sample
Discharge, Width, d
50

Bed
Load
Transport
Suspende
d Load
Transport
Total
Load
Transport
Study Site
Q (m
3
/s) B (m) (mm) Q
b
(kg/s) Q
t
(kg/s) Q
j
(kg/s)
Kulim
River
16 1.39 - 11.14
14.0 -
18.0
3.00 - 4.00
0.07 -
0.34
0.26 -
6.78
0.34 -
7.08

Table 2. Summary of Sediment Transport Assessment (16 Data) (Yahaya, 1999).
Discrepancy Ratio (0.5 2.0)
Equation
No. of data Percentage
Yang 3 19
Engelund & Hansen 0 0
Ackers & White 0 0
Graf 7 44

Table 3. Summary of Mean Sediment Size
d
50
(mm)
Location
No. of data Range Average
Upstream CH 1000 (Apr 1999) 8 3-4 3.60
Downstream CH 0 (Apr 1999) 8 3.55 4 3.75
Upstream CH 11800 (2004) 2 0.7-1.2 0.95
Downstream CH 1000 (2004) 4 0.55-0.85 0.70
















Fig. 1 Kulim River Catchment and Subcatchment (DID, 1996)
Peninsular Malaysia
Study Area
1404 September 11~16, 2005, Seoul, Korea






















Fig. 2 Kulim River Study Reach

















Fig. 3 Simulated bed profile using FLUVIAL-12 model compared to obseved bed profile

9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.0
14.5
2
6
0
0
2
7
0
0
2
8
0
0
2
9
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
1
0
0
3
2
0
0
3
3
0
0
3
4
0
0
3
5
0
0
3
6
0
0
3
7
0
0
3
8
0
0
3
9
0
0
4
0
0
0
4
1
0
0
4
2
0
0
4
3
0
0
4
4
0
0
4
5
0
0
4
6
0
0
4
7
0
0
4
8
0
0
4
9
0
0
5
0
0
0
5
1
0
0
5
2
0
0
5
3
0
0
5
4
0
0
Section No. (CH)
B
e
d

E
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n

(
m
)
Observed (September 1991)
Engelund-Hansen
Graph
Meyer-Peter Muller
Yang
Ackers-White
Mannings n = 0.040

CH 5900
CH 11800
Upstream
CH 01
CH 1000
CH 10
CH 3000
CH 8200
XXXI IAHR CONGRESS 1405











(a) Upstream (CH 11800)








(b) Downstream (CH 1000)


Fig. 6 Typical cross section at at CH 11800 and CH 1000 along Kulim River
1406 September 11~16, 2005, Seoul, Korea

0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
0.01 0.10 1.00 10.00 100.00
Partical Size (mm)
P
e
r
c
e
n
t
a
g
e

P
a
s
s
i
n
g

(
%
)
01.04.1999
02.04.1999
03.04.1999
04.04.1999
05.04.1999
06.04.1999
07.04.1999
08.04.1999
Average













(a) CH 1000 (Upstream)











(b) CH 01 (Downstream)


Fig. 4 Distribution of bed material (Yahaya, 1999)











0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
0.01 0.10 1.00 10.00 100.00
Partical Size (mm)
P
e
r
c
e
n
t
a
g
e

P
a
s
s
i
n
g

(
%
)
01.04.1999
02.04.1999
03.04.1999
04.04.1999
05.04.1999
06.04.1999
07.04.1999
08.04.1999
Average
XXXI IAHR CONGRESS 1407















(a) CH 11800 (Upstream)











(b) CH 1000 (Downstream)

Fig. 5 Distribution of bed material from field measurement between October
and December 2004, and January 2005.





0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
0.01 0.10 1.00 10.00 100.00
Partical Size (mm)
P
e
r
c
e
n
t
a
g
e

P
a
s
s
i
n
g

(
%
)
08.12.2004
11.01.2005
Average
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
0.01 0.10 1.00 10.00 100.00
Partical Size (mm)
P
e
r
c
e
n
t
a
g
e

P
a
s
s
i
n
g

(
%
)
06.10.2004 (10.00am)
06.10.2004 (02.30pm)
08.12.2004
11.01.2005
Average