The Effect of Small Density Differences at River Confluences

Remarkable 3D flow structures occur at river confluences with small density differences due to differences in sediment concentration or temperature. We explain these by comparing numerical simulations for an idealized confluence with aerial photographs of several river confluences where color differences express the pattern of density...

The effect of small density differences at large confluences

Confluences are fascinating elements in river systems. The merging of tributary rivers produces complex hydrodynamics that can play an important role in sediment transport problems, ecological studies or the routing of a pollutant. If the two merging rivers originate from different regions they can have different characteristics. One such a...