Channelisation / cross section alteration

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Channelisation / cross section alteration

04. Morphological alterations

General description

Channelization refers to river and stream channel engineering undertaken for the purposes of flood control, navigation, drainage improvement, and reduction of channel migration potential (Brookes, 1990[1]). When channelization involves cross section alteration, this includes activities such as channel enlargement through widening or deepening, the reduction of flow resistance through clearing or snagging of riparian, and sometimes aquatic, vegetation and other roughness elements, and the introduction of bank facing and reinforcement materials. These forms of morphological modification typically transform channel cross profiles into uniform, smooth, trapezoidal or rectangular forms. Cross section alteration can also include embankment, levee or dike construction, which further enlarge the channel capacity, prevent channel-floodplain connectivity, and can induce very high flow velocities within the river channel during floods.

Effect/Impact on (including literature citations)

  • HYMO (general and specified per HYMO element)
  • physico - chemical parameters
  • Biota (general and specified per Biological quality elements)

Case studies where this pressure is present

Possible restoration, rehabilitation and mitigation measures

Useful references

Other relevant information


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