Experimental Development of Headward Growth of Channel Networks

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 1973 Experimental Development of Headward Growth of Channel Networks JEAN-JACQUES FLINT JEAN-JACQUES FLINT 1Department of Geology, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, New York 13901 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information JEAN-JACQUES FLINT 1Department of Geology, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, New York 13901 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1973) 84 (3): 1087–1094. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1973)84<1087:EDOHGO>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation JEAN-JACQUES FLINT; Experimental Development of Headward Growth of Channel Networks. GSA Bulletin 1973;; 84 (3): 1087–1094. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1973)84<1087:EDOHGO>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Two small drainage networks were developed from an earth-fill model subjected to artificial rain. Evolution of the basins in time for both runs indicates an exponential growth of basin size, total stream length, and number of streams. When the basins attained a fixed size controlled by the dimensions of the container, these parameters reached a steady state that prevailed for the remainder of the experiment. Drainage density also increased exponentially, while the relative drainage density, measured from the area directly eroded, maintained uniform values throughout "youth" and "maturity." The profile of the longest stream was exponential and retained an equilibrium form for the duration of the experiment, in spite of a marked decrease in stream gradient with time. The hypsometric integral decreased rapidly during the early stages of development, possibly changing to a linear function of slower rate after the basin had become areally fixed.Although many natural conditions could not be simulated in the model, the quasi-equilibrium state reached in the parameters that were measured and the similarity between the empirical data and known geomorphic relations suggest that experimental models of drainage networks may provide a useful approach to the study of basin evolution. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.