Proceedings of the 19th IAHR-APD Congress 2014, Hanoi, Vietnam

ISBN xxx-xxxx-xx-x

CHANNEL TRANSITION PROCESSES BY NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL IMPACTS IN THE MIDDLE

YOSHINO RIVER

KAZUSHI NOMURA(1), YASUNORI MUTO(2) & TAKAO TAMURA(3)

(1) Post Graduate Student, Graduate school of Advanced Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan
E-mail: c501331028@tokushima-u.ac.jp
(2) Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan
(3) Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan

ABSTRACT
River improvement works to reduce damage from the floods have been conducted which attain increase of the discharge
capacity. On the other hand, local sediment deposition and scouring are growing concern by the repeated floods,
decreasing of sediment supply and construction of river structure. In order to resolve these problems, it is necessary to
understand the effects of natural and artificial impacts on the river channel. Moreover, future plans as sediment
management and operation of river structure must be discussed. In this paper, the channel transition processes were
studied in the Middle Yoshino River using aerial photo, morphology data and record of gravel gathering. Natural and
artificial impacts on those processes were evaluated from sandbar deformation, river channel fluctuation. As a result,
sandbar deformation by the floods and revetment works was confirmed. The floods and dam construction affected
fluctuation of river channel with the sediment deposition and scouring.

Keywords: Channel transition processes, Natural and artificial impact, Sandbar deformation, River channel fluctuation, Grain distribution change

1. INTRODUCTION upstream area (77.6-kp), 1/800 in midstream area (40.0-

77.6kp), 1/1100 in downstream area (0-40.0kp). A
The Yoshino River, Japan, is rich in water resources, but
contraction point is located at around 40.0kp, called Iwazu.
simultaneously possesses high risk of flood disaster Okabe
The Yoshino River has five dams at upstream sites,
et al. (2002). River improvement works to reduce damage
namely Sameura Dam, Ikeda Dam, Tomisato Dam, Yanase
from the floods have been conducted which attain
Dam and Shingu Dam and two weirs, Kakihara Weir
increase of the discharge capacity Moro et al. (2011).
(24.2kp) and Daiju Weir (14.0kp). In addition, a large
Moreover, gravel gathering have been worked to
artificial change on the river course was made in Zennyuji
contribute discharge capacity. As a result, river channel
Island, locates around 26.0kp to 32.2kp. It was separated
was changed longitudinal, cross-sectional and planar. On
from the both sides by heavy flood in 1098. After there,
the other hand, local sediment deposition and scouring
people resided as farmer. However, they were ordered to
are growing concern by several factor which the repeated
move out by government. After the eviction of all
floods, decreasing of sediment supply and construction of
islanders, Zennyuji Island was got ready as retarding
river structure. In order to resolve these problems, it is
basin in 1913. Flow channel changes a lot by several
necessary to understand the effects of natural and artificial
islands (Zennyuji Island, Mainaka Island (43.8kp) and
impacts on the river channel Iwaya et al. (2013). Moreover,
Nakadori Island (56.8kp)). Moreover, Yoshino River has a
future plans as sediment management and operation of
large-scale flood damage prevention forest.
river structure must discuss. In this paper, the channel
transition processes of the Yoshino River in the past half 2.2 Study method
century is investigated, and assemble basic data to discuss
We studied from Daiju weir to Iwazu contraction point
about the future plan. The channel transition processes
(14.0-40.0kp). We used aerial photos, morphological data,
studied in the Middle Yoshino River using aerial photos,
records of gravel gathering, historical flood and historical
morphological data, records of gravel gathering and
dam construction. A shown in Table 1, these data are filed
historical flood. Natural and artificial impacts on those
from 1961 until now. The data set actually used for the
processes evaluated from sandbar deformation, change of
analysis are indicated in Table 1 as colored cells. Aerial
flow channel geometry and its fluctuations.
photos are used to grasp the channel transition of entire
2. STUDY METHOD study area. It was also used to number sandbars. Then,
deformation of its size and location investigated.
2.1 Study area
Longitudinal distribution of low-water channel elevation
Aerial photos of the study area are shown in Figure 1. The was made, and studied about variation of elevation in
Yoshino River is class A river in Japan, that flows in each period. Concurrently, longitudinal distribution of
Shikoku region. Annual precipitation is 2500-3000mm low-water level width and its variation were studied in
because The Yoshino River located in areas vulnerable to each period. After that, we calculated variation of low-
typhoon. The Yoshino River has catchment area of 3750 water channel area, and considered relationship between
km2, with the length of 194 km. The slope is 1/400 in natural and artificial impacts and these results.
1
Table 1. List of using data and flood
Aerial photo Levering profile Flood Maximum flood discharge in 40.0kp (m 3 /s) Dam
1961 Mar. 1962 Sep. 1961 11,962 Yanase Dam(1953)
May. 1969 Mar. 1970 Aug. 1970 12,815
Jun. 1971 Mar. 1972
Nov. 1974 Feb. 1975 Sep. 1974 14,466
Aug. 1975 Mar. 1976 Aug. 18 and 23,1975 10,480, 13,867 Sameura Dam, Ikeda Dam, Shingu Dam (1975)
1977 Mar. 1978 Sep. 1976 11,449
Feb. 1980 Mar. 1980 Aug. 1983 11,069
- Mar. 1984
Sep. 1987 Mar. 1988
Sep. 1990 Mar. 1991 Sep. 1990 11,185
Mar. 1992 Mar. 1993 Jul. 1993 12,075
Nov. 1998 Mar. 2000
May. 2002 Mar. 2003 Aug. and Oct. 2004 13,671, 16,427 Tomisato Dam(2001)
Jun. 2005 Sep. 2005 Sep. 2005 13,800
Dec. 2007 Oct. 2006
Mar. 2009 Sep. 2011 ?
Oct. 2012 Mar.2012
*Color means using data
3. RESULTS

3.1 Sandbar deformation

Takamatsu
Ikeda Dam
Tokushima

Kakihara
Sameura Dam Weir

15.0kp
40.0kp 25.0kp FLOW
35.0kp 20.0kp Daiju
Weir
Zennyuji
30.0kp Island (a) 1961
Section3 Section2 Section1

(b) May. 1969

(c) Sep. 1987

(d) Nov. 1998

(e) Jun. 2005

Figure 1. Aerial photo
2
 Section3 Section2 Section1

(f) Dec. 2007

(g) Mar. 2009

23.0kp L1

24.2kp R1

(h) Oct. 2012

Figure 1. Aerial photo

Table 2. The transition of sandbar deformation

Section3 (40.032.0kp) Section2 (32.024.0kp) Section1 (24.014.0kp)
Year
40.0kp 40.0kp 37.0kp 35.4kp 32.5kp 32.0kp 31.0kp 30.0kp 29.0kp 26.0kp 25.0kp 27.0kp 26.0kp 24.2kp 23.0kp 21.0kp 19.0kp 17.0kp 15.0kp
Oct. 2012 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 R1 R1 L1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 -

Mar. 2009 R1 L1 R1 M1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 R1 R1 L1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 -

Dec. 2007 R1 L1 R1 M1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 R1 R1 L1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1

Jun. 2005 R1 L1 R1 M1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 R1 R1 L1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1

Nov. 1998 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 R1 L1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1

Sep. 1987 - L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 R2 R1 L1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1

May. 1969 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 , M1 L2 R1 L1 L1 R1 L1 R1 L1 R1 -

1961 R1 L1 R1 M1 L1 L2 R1 L1 R1 L1 , M1 L2 R1 M1 M1 L1 L1 R1 L1 L2 R1 R2 L1 R1 -

Figure 1 shows channel transition of aerial photos. The
used photos were taken in 1961, 1969, 1987, 1998, 2005,
2007, 2009 and 2012. Additionally, river structures and
kilometer-post were shown. Study area was separated to 3
sections. Section1 was defined between Daiju Weir and
Kakihara Weir. Section2 was defined between Kakihara
Weir and 32.0kp, along Zennyuji Island. Section3 was
defined between 32.0kp and 40.0kp. Position of flow
channel, sandbar and tributary are able to grasp from this
figure. Therefore, transition of flow channel and sandbar
were studied. In Figure 1 (a) and (b), size of sandbar
changed significantly by two large floods as shown in
Table 1 (Sep. 1961 and Aug. 1970) and gravel gathering.
Especially, flow channel and sandbar changed around
Zennyuji Island. In Figure 1 (b), marks of gravel gathering
were able to find out between 19.0kp and 23.0kp and
between 33.0kp and 36.0kp. In Figure 1 (c), alternate bar at
upstream Kakihara Weir was formed. Moreover,
vegetation covered on sandbar in the entire study area.
Flow channel at north side of Zennyuji Island was covered
with vegetation. Tributaries (34.0kp and 35.6kp) also were
invaded vegetation. In Figure 1 (d), flow channel width
and sandbar size stabilized around this period. Riverside
vegetation has been tuned into trees (see Figure 1 (e)). In
Figure 1 (f), flow channel width looked large slightly in
comparison with Figure 1 (e). However, sandbar was
hardly moved. Flow channel at north side of Zennyuji
Island appeared again after large flood in Jun. 2005. In
Figure 1 (f) and (g), river condition in upstream of
Zennyuji Island remained same from 2007 to 2009. On the
other hand, flow channel width of downstream from there
looked large. In Figure 1 (h), size of sandbar has been
enlarged in upstream of Kakihara Weir. The sandbar
(around 35.4kp) became forestation. River condition was
stabilized between Kakihara Weir and Daiju Weir. Flow
channel at north side of Zennyuji Island has been covered
with vegetation once again.
In Figure 1 (a)-(c), flow channel, sandbar and vegetation
had been fluctuated actively by flood, gravel gathering
and dam construction in 1975. After that, they are
stabilized except local change of flow channel width and
sandbar. Between Kakihara Weir and Daiju Weir, they
were stayed constant because flow is restrained by these
structures.
Next, we researched about sandbar transition as shown in
Table 2. Sandbar was defined as shown in Figure 1 (h).
Sandbars were named according to their locations of

3
upstream edge. However, between 32.0kp and 36.0kp,
sandbar was named only south side of Zennyuji Island.
Here, R means right bank sandbar, L means left one, M
means island on the flow channel. As shown in Table 2,
sandbar deformation was small in all period. But, 37.0kp
R1 went back constantly. 35.4kp L1 moved actively. From
3.2 River channel fluctuation
Higaidani River (33.0kp)
Zennyuji Island26.032.2kp
the records of gravel gathering, gravel of 280,820m3/y was
collected in the interval of 33.0-35.0kp between 1965 and
1971. Sandbar deformation at 25.0kp-29.0kp R1 had been
active before 2005. The reason can be attributed to several
things such as, gravel gathering of 146,730m3/y (average
of 1965-1971), effect of flood from tributary at 32.0kp, the
34
30
26

Bed levation (A.P. m)

22
Sedsume-Ohashi Bridge Kakihara Weir
18
(36.0kp) (24.2kp)
14
Daiju Weir
10
Awa Chuo-Ohashi Bridge (14.0kp)
(25.4kp) 6
Mar. 1962 Mar. 1972
Mar. 1978 Mar. 1984 2
Mar. 1988 Mar. 2000
-2
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14
Kilometer-post (km)
Figure 2. Longitudinal distribution of low-water channel
elevation

Variation of bed
(a) Mar. 1972-Mar. 1962

elevation (m)
1
0
-1
-2
Section 3 Section 2 Section 1
-3
2

Variation of bed
(b) Mar. 1978-Mar. 1972

elevation (m)
1
0
-1
-2
-3
3

Variation of bed
(c) Mar. 1984-Mar. 1978

elevation (m)
2
1
0
-1
-2
2
Variation of bed

(d) Mar. 1988-Mar. 1984

elevation (m)

1
0
-1
-2
-3
3
(e) Mar. 2000-Mar. 1988
Variation of bed

2
elevation (m)

1
0
-1
-2
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14
Kilometer-post (km)
Figure 3. Fluctuation of low-water channel elevation in each
period

4
 divergence and confluence of flow channel around 800

Variation of low-water
(a) Mar. 1972-Mrar. 1962
Zennyuji Island and change of river channel at

channel width (m)

600
28.8kp. 30.0kp L1-2, M1 is enlarged, became a large
sandbar. 23.0kp L1 and 23.0kp L2 merged. 21.0kp R1 400
and 21.0kp R2 also merged. These deformations were 200
mainly caused by disturbance of the river channel due to
gravel gathering. Gravel of 189,430m3/y had been 0
collected in the interval of 19.0-23.0kp (average of 1965- -200
1969). 15.0kp L1 had been appeared from 1987 to 2007.
400

Variation of low-water
Figure 2 shows longitudinal distribution of low-water (b) Mar. 1978-Mar. 1972

channel width (m)

200
channel elevation. Additionally typical river structures
and bridges were shown. Figure 3 shows variation of low- 0
water channel elevation in each period. Here, bed
-200
elevation at 40.0kp, Iwazu narrow section, is low owing to
scored bed by increasing velocity. And its downstream is -400
deposited by widening of river width. Slope steeps
around 14.0kp and 24.2kp because Kakihara and Daiju 400

Variation of low-water
Weir located. In Figure 2, low-water channel elevation (c) Mar. 1984-Mar. 1978

channel width (m)

decreased overall from 1962 to 1972. 200

0
In Figure 3, low-water channel elevation decreased at
upstream Kakihara Weir. However, it is hardly changed -200
around 29.0kp in all period. In Figure 3 (a), low-water
-400
channel elevation decreased widely, but it is stabilized
after this period. In addition, river bed was scoured at
upstream Zennyuji Island and downstream Kakihara Weir. 400

Variation of low-water
(d) Mar. 1988-Mar. 1984
Maximum scour depth was 2.615m at 18.4kp. In Figure 3

channel width (m)

200
(b), scouring and deposition occur alternately. Amount of
scouring was significant around 20.0kp (-2.190m). In 0
Figure 3 (c), scouring is predominant at upstream of -200
Kakihara Weir, whereas deposition at downstream. The
maximum deposition was 2.294m at 19.8kp. In Figure 3 (d), -400
river bed was scoured at upstream 32.0kp. But, it was
stabilized at downstream except local fluctuation. In 600

Variation of low-water
(e) Mar. 2000-Mar. 1988
Figure 3 (e), river bed was deposited at upstream 35.0kp,

channel width (m)

400
and scoured between 25.0kp and 35.0kp. The fluctuation
of river bed was small at downstream of 25.0kp. When 200
looking at each section separately, overall bed fluctuation 0
tendency was the same in each period. Moreover, it was
large because gravel gathering have been worked -200
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32
continually.
Kilometer-post (km)
Next, longitudinal distribution of low-water channel
Figure 5. Variation of low-water channel width in each period
width and its variation in each period are shown in Figure
4 and Figure 5. Here, only the section3 is picked up
River. In Figure 4, low-water channel width between
because fluctuation of low-water channel elevation
35.0kp and 37.0kp (1988) and between 37.4kp and 39.0kp
changed significantly. In Figure 4, low-water channel
(1962) was narrow. In Figure 5 (a), variation of low-water
width is about 300m at Iwazu narrow section. This is the
channel width was 200m around 38.2kp to 39.0kp and
narrowest point in mid and downstream area in the
over 200m from 32.8kp to 33.6kp. These changes were
Yoshino River. River width in 32.8kp is wide because
affected by gravel gathering and downstream of narrow
there are located the confluence point of the Higaidani
section as described above. In Figure 5 (b), variation of
1600
Mar. 1962 Mar. 1972 width hardly changed at upstream of 35.0kp, but small in
Low-water channel width (m)

Mar. 1978 Mar. 1984 1400 its downstream (maximum variation was -300m). Change
Mar. 1988 Mar. 2000 was small in Figure 5 (c). Also in other sections, change
1200 was small as shown in Figure 1 (c). In Figure 5 (d),
1000 variation river width was wide at 34.8-34.4kp. Outside
there, it was small. In Figure 5 (e), it was wide tendency.
800 In comparison with 2000 and 1962, low-water channel
600
width around 37.4kp to 39.6kp was large. It is almost
small at downstream from there. Area of flood channel
400 was large because vegetation invaded.
200 4. CONSIDERATION
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32
In this section, we consider about each results. Moreover,
Kilometer-post (km)
we researched how natural and artificial impacts have
Figure 4. Longitudinal distribution of low-water channel effects on these changes. Through these results and
width consideration, river channel transition is explained in the

5
past half century. Here, flood is supposed as the natural 30

Variation of volume
impact. Dam construction and gravel gathering are
20

(10*4 m3)
supposed as artificial impact.
The upper side graphs of Figure 6-10 shows amount of 10
gravel gathering and variation of cross-sectional area in
0
low-water channel in each period. Here, variation of cross-
sectional area in low-water channel was calculated as
-10
below. Differences of low-water channel elevation and its
width in each period are multiplied at every 200m. Then 100
this results and distance (200m) are multiplied. As a result, 80

Percentage (%)
variation of cross-sectional area in low-water channel is
worked out as volume. The down side graphs of Figure 6- 60
10 shows contribution of natural impact and artificial 40
impact to low-water channel cross-sectional variation in
each period. Using the upper side graph in Figure 6-10, 20
subtracting gravel gathering from variation of cross- 0
sectional area in low-water channel, which yields 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32
variation other than factor of gravel gathering. In this Kilometer-post
paper, the other factor was supposed flood. The ratio was Figure 8. Gravel gathering amount and variation of cross-
sectional area in low-water channel from 1978 to 1984 (upper
40 side) factor of low-water channel cross sectional variation (down
Gravel gathering Variation of volume side)
30 30

Variation of volume
Variation of cross-sectional
(10*4 m3)
area in water channel
20 20

(10*4 m3)
10 10

0 0

-10 -10

100 100

80 80
Percentage (%)

Percentage (%)
60 60

40 40

Flood 20 20
Gravel gathering
0 0
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32
Kilometer-post Kilometer-post
Figure 6. Gravel gathering amount and variation of cross- Figure 9. Gravel gathering amount and variation of cross-
sectional area in low-water channel from 1962 to 1972 (upper sectional area in low-water channel from 1984 to 1988 (upper
side) factor of low-water channel cross sectional variation (down side) factor of low-water channel cross sectional variation (down
side) side)
20 20
Variation of volume
Variation of volume

10 10
(10*4 m3)
(10*4 m3)

0 0

-10 -10

-20 -20

100 100

80 80
Percentage (%)
Percentage (%)

60 60

40 40

20 20
0 0
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32
Kilometer-post Kilometer-post
Figure 7. Gravel gathering amount and variation of cross- Figure 10. Gravel gathering amount and variation of cross-
sectional area in low-water channel from 1972 to 1978 (upper sectional area in low-water channel from 1988 to 2000 (upper
side) factor of low-water channel cross sectional variation (down side) factor of low-water channel cross sectional variation (down
side) side)

6
calculated as the factor of variation of cross-sectional area
in low-water channel.
In Figure 6-8, gravel gathering was worked actively.
Especially, its amount was over 200,000m3 (see Figure 6).
Gravel gathering was worked to obtain the aggregate
before 1975. On the other hand, it worked for increasing
the discharge capacity of the river channel in recent years.
In Figure 6, 8 and 9, variation of cross-sectional area in
low-water channel increased. It was confirmed increasing
and decreasing points in Figure 7 and 10. Sediment
deposition was noticeable. Moreover, in Figure 9, gravel
gathering was worked small between 33.0kp to 35.0kp. In
Figure 10, it was also small between 34.4kp and 36.0kp.
Although gravel gathering was worked, variation of river
channel decreased. In Figure 6-10, gravel gathering
worked hardly around 36.0kp. Variation of river channel
was also small there.
First, we explain about gravel gathering and aerial photo.
In Figure 1 (a) and Figure 6 (a), size and shape of sandbar
was deformed significantly by active gravel gathering.
Mark of gravel gathering was able to look out in the aerial
photo, and it is determined as impact of sandbar.
Throughout all of Figure 1, the location of flow channel
and sandbar were stabilized when gravel gathering was
not worked actively. Therefore, imbalance of sediment
transport by gravel gathering affects river channel
change. 37.0kp R1 locates to downstream constantly (see
Figure 1). With this movement, flow channel changed to
the right side. As a result, 40.0kp L1 became large. In all
of Figure 1, location of flow channel was changed
with 32.0kp L1 moved forward constantly. In Figure 1
(c), 30.0kp M1 merged with 30.0kp L2. Then, flow
channel which south side was disappeared. As a result,
most of 31.0kp R1 became flood channel (see Figure 1 (c)-
(e)) because relation height was high. In Figure 1, 6-10 and
Table 2, river change by flood was hardly grasped from
aerial photo. Inflow sediment from tributary seemed low
in study area.
Second, we consider about low-water channel elevation
and several impacts. In Figure 2 and 3, low-water channel
scoured significantly at the section which gravel gathering
worked actively (30.0kp-38.6kp and 17.0kp-21.0kp). In
Figure 1, the factor of scouring is determined to gravel
gathering because its marks were able to find out. In the
section1 (see Figure 6-10), fluctuation of low-water
channel elevation was influenced by amount of the gravel
gathering. In Figure 1 (b), gravel gathering was worked
actively in the section2 but its amount was few per year.
Therefore, in Figure 3, fluctuation of low-water channel
elevation was small in each period in comparison with the
other area. About the section1, the fluctuation also
decreases with the decreasing amount of gravel gathering.
On the other hand, fluctuation wave in the section3 (see
Figure 3) seems to move downstream as times goes by. As
a result, percentage of gravel gathering was low (see
Figure 6-10), and impact of flood was significant.
However, this tendency is not constant at the section1
because Kakihara Weir exist. In Figure 3 (c)-(e), the
fluctuation shows inverse tendency to the previous
periods. In Figure 3, fluctuation of low-water channel
elevation changed around section1 and section2. This
fluctuation affected from the section3 in all periods.
From Figure 4-5, low-water channel width was hardly
changed by gravel gathering directly. Fluctuation of low-
water channel width is affected by the relationship
between relative height and flood. When relative height is
low, low-water channel width is changed frequently by
flood impact. Especially, in Table 1 and Figure 1, low-
water channel width at 33.0kp to 35.0kp was narrow by
not only frequent floods but also invaded vegetation. In
Figure 5-10, in which the relationship between river
channel and gravel gathering is shown, the variation of
width corresponds well with gravel gathering. This
response shows tendency similar to low-water channel
elevation. River width was small in Figure 5 (c) and (d).
But it was large after Figure 5 (e).
Low-water channel width will be affected by low-water
revetment construction. Therefore, these relations have to
study in the future. Moreover, the low-water channel
width in the section3 (32.0-40.0kp) only the results were
shown in this paper. However in the other section, river
width is also small by changing sandbar to flood plain. It
is also necessary to research about these transitions.
Finally, we considered about variation of cross-sectional
area in low-water channel (see Figure 6-10). In Figure 6,
this variation shows similar tendency to gravel gathering.
Moreover, variation of river channel and amount of gravel
gathering were large. It was considered that river channel
was disturbed by active gravel gathering. On the other
hand, Figure 7 shows different response between 33.0kp to
35.0kp in comparison with Figure 6. In this period,
variation of cross-sectional area in low- water channel
became small because low-water channel elevation rose
and low-water channel width was narrow. According to
Table 1, however, not only these results but also gravel
gathering and sediment transport by four large floods
(Sep. 1974, Aug.18 and 23 1975, Sep. 1976 and Aug. 1983)
are considered to affect the variation. About Figure 10,
river channel was decreased dominantly by increase of
low-water channel width in comparison with deposition
of river bed elevation. The reason considered as follows
(see 1988-2000 of Table 1); location of deposition was
appeared by the two large floods (Sep. 1990 and Jul 1993).
In Table 1, river channel was showed scour tendency at
period when no or few large flood. In Figure 6-10,
variation of river channel volume is about 100,000m3 from
37.0kp to 39.6kp exclude the fourth period. This variation
appeared despite the existence of flood and gravel
gathering.
In Figure 6-10, the contribution of flood is large around
39.0kp in all periods, located downstream of Iwazu
narrow section. Its downstream is shown large velocity.
From these effects, the section3 changed in that way. As a
result, the percentage of flood was high between 32.0kp
and 34.0kp. From these figures, it confirmed that variation
of river channel changed actively where the relative
elevation is small. This is because flood was easy to flow
in all of river cross-section.
In the future, we studied and considered to low-water
level width which extend from 14.0kp to 40.0kp. The
period also extended to 2012. The effect of dam
construction and river improvement works should be
introduce and examined with the results of this paper.
Moreover, the relationship between block of sediment
transport by dam and the other results are also explored.
Determinants of low-water channel elevation and its
width should be sought. Moreover, experiments are
conducted to study transition processes of river channel
by mixed sand. As the experiment condition, we suppose
sand feeding to several grain sizes will be changed in the
experiment. In order to study transition processes of
7
sandbar, flow channel, grain size distribution and amount
of sediment transport from experiment.
5. CONCLUSIONS
In this paper, river channel transition was studied in the
Middle Yoshino River using several data. As a result, the
transition processes of river channel, sandbar and flow
channel deformation, low-water channel elevation, width
and their variations, amount of gravel gathering and
cross-sectional area in low-water channel identified. In
addition to the relationship between sandbar transition
process and gravel gathering, the relationship between
transition process of low-water channel elevation and
flood were confirmed. Moreover, transition of variation of
cross-sectional area in low-water level is shown to link to
both history of flood and gravel gathering.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to express their grateful thanks to
Tokushima Office of River and National Highway,
Shikoku Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan, for their
kind provision to assemble data.
This research was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for
Scientific Research from JSPS (No. 26420498). In addition,
River Fund, River Foundation, Japan (No. 26-1212-007) is
also gratefully appreciated.
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Moro Y., Kazama S., Fukuoka S. (2011). Change of river
improvement works of the lower Tone River and
effectiveness of channel dredging. Proceedings of River
Engineering, JSCE, 17, pp.101-106 (in Japanese).
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