Flow and sediment size variability near gravel bars in the Beskidy Mountains in the Polish Carpathians

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to identify differences in hydraulic conditions in the areas closest to already-developed gravel bars situated in a small, mountain stream in the area of the Polish part of the Carpathian Mountains. Basic hydraulic parameters of flowing water, including velocity, shear stress, Froude number, Reynolds number and flow resistance coefficient were examined within the region of two different gravel bars in a mountain stream. At the same time, sediment samples were drawn from the riverbed in the area in which the hydraulic measurements were taken. After analysing the data, several conclusions were presented concerning sedimentation of gravel and hydraulic parameters within the cross section of a mountainous stream. The study was undertaken on Skawica-Jałowiecki Stream in the Polish part of the Carpathian Mountains called the Beskidy Mountains.

Keywords

• gravel bar
• shear stress
• shear velocity
• bedload
• hydraulics parameters
• mountain stream