Calibrated Parker-Klingeman Model for Gravel Transport

Abstract

The Parker-Klingeman (P-K) model is a state-of-the-art approach to prediction of gravel transport in river channels. This technical note describes the P-K model in simple terms and presents a practical method for local calibration of model constants by procedures that minimize variance and bias. Using site calibration rather than modeling constants from the literature extends the range of applicability of the P-K model in terms of stream slopes and substrate sizes. Model prediction capability becomes less contingent on having stream characteristics that match the streams used in model development.