Abstract

Determination of river morphologic parameters leads to prediction of river behavior; therefore engineers could manage rivers plans more efficiently. The river behavior where it enters flood plain is completely different from other reaches of the river. Existence of flood plain, different bed materials, river type, bed slope, kind of river operation such as sand mining and land use cause the most important parts of topographic changes. Identification of morphologic parameters in this study could optimize river management. Karoon River with the length of 850 (Km) and 400 (m³/s) average discharge is one of the most important rivers in Iran. In the current research, morphology of the river at the entrance to floodplain has been studied. Morphologic characteristics of the river have been identified based on 4 different methods to confirm instability in the reach. Bank erosion and changes of the river path during a 30 years period, formation of bar islands as well as sand and gravel mining are the features that have played key role on determining river condition.

Keywords: Erosion, Karoon River, River morphology, Sand mining