Articles | Volume 28, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-2721-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-2721-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
27 Jun 2024
Research article |
| 27 Jun 2024
| 27 Jun 2024
Conceptualising surface water–groundwater exchange in braided river systems
Scott R. Wilson
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Environmental Research, Lincoln Agritech, Lincoln University, Rīkona / Lincoln, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Jo Hoyle
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Ōtautahi / Christchurch, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Richard Measures
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Ōtautahi / Christchurch, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Antoine Di Ciacca
Environmental Research, Lincoln Agritech, Lincoln University, Rīkona / Lincoln, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Leanne K. Morgan
Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management, University of Canterbury, Ōtautahi / Christchurch, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Eddie W. Banks
National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
Linda Robb
Environmental Research, Lincoln Agritech, Lincoln University, Rīkona / Lincoln, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Thomas Wöhling
Environmental Research, Lincoln Agritech, Lincoln University, Rīkona / Lincoln, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Chair of Hydrology, Institute of Hydrology and Meteorology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Short summary
Braided rivers are complex and dynamic systems that are difficult to understand. Here, we proposes a new model of how braided rivers work in the subsurface based on field observations in three braided rivers in New Zealand. We suggest that braided rivers create their own shallow aquifers by moving bed sediments during flood flows. This new conceptualisation considers braided rivers as whole “river systems” consisting of channels and a gravel aquifer, which is distinct from the regional aquifer.
Braided rivers are complex and dynamic systems that are difficult to understand. Here, we...
