The statistical distribution of curvatures of natural rivers meanders

Abstract

Abstract The rivers meanders are the most common form of natural rivers. In this paper, the shapes of meanders may be characterized in terms of the statistical distribution of curvatures measured along their contours. Deviation degree and span are proposed, in which deviation degree represents the closure degree of the bend and span represents the roundness degree or even degree of curvature distribution of the bend. Using these two indicators, we can effectively distinguish the state of the development of the river bend and thus determine different river regulation schemes. Finally, the method of deducing the reliable curvature of the bend from the satellite pictures of the river is discussed.