Comparison between Calculation and Measurement of Total Sediment Load: Application to Streams of NE Greece

Abstract

Sediment transport and stream discharge are two of the natural procedures which affect the hydromorphological profile of a watercourse. Measurements of water discharge, bed load transport rate and suspended sediment concentration were conducted in Kosynthos River and Kimmeria Torrent –two intermittent streams– in north-eastern Greece. The total sediment concentration was calculated, in both streams, by means of various nonlinear regression equations and by means of the formulas of Yang, after calibrating the coefficients of the formulas. In the computations according to the Yang formulas, two different states were examined regarding the incipient motion: one considering and one disregarding the critical conditions. The results obtained from Yang’s multiple regression-derived equations had a better fit compared to the original equations and were acceptable in both cases. Ultimately, two counterparts of Yang’s stream sediment transport formulas were constructed and made available to the readership. The comparison between the calculated and measured total sediment concentrations was achieved by means of several statistical criteria. The results indicate that the modified formulas of Yang can be successfully used for the determination of the total sediment concentration in Kosynthos River and Kimmeria Torrent.

Keywords

• calibrated Yang formulas
• bed load transport rate
• suspended sediment concentration
• total sediment concentration
• field measurements
• Kosynthos River