Meander Statistics Toolbox (MStaT): A toolbox for geometry characterization of bends in large meandering channels

Abstract

This contribution presents MStaT, a wavelet-based open-source software developed to provide a detailed characterization of large meandering river morphodynamics. MStaT integrates three independent modules: (i) meandering morphometrics module; (ii) migration module; and (iii) confluence module. MStaT delivers a short and medium-term framework to analyze the river centerline and valley-meandering channel interrelationship at low computational cost. It provides quantitative information on the spatial distribution of the arc-wavelength, migration rates, cutoffs events, and tributary channels influences. Data are presented through a user-friendly graphical user interface that makes the output interpretation easier, and that is freely available to the communities of river morphodynamics scientists and engineers.