Lithological controls influence river form in contrasting sub‐catchments: The Scamander and Avenue Rivers, Tasmania

Abstract

AbstractBedrock influence on river channel form is difficult to assess, with many catchments dominated by glacial erosion and with blanketing sediments from both pluvial and fluvial sources. The Scamander catchment in Tasmania lacks glacial history and features two bedrock‐confined sub‐catchments of similar area and maximum flow length, but one dominated by Mathinna Group sedimentary rocks, and the other with large areas in granite lithology. Lithology types, stream network parameters and near stream slope angles were analysed using geographical information systems, and results of stream cross sections, channel form and planforms were compared for each lithology. Results showed that granite features low gradient, shallow streams with channel slope cross sections of <10°. Granite channels are irregular and dominated by large boulders that create channel roughness and resist incision. Weathering products of coarse quartz sand provide anchorages for in‐channel vegetation. By contrast, sedimentary Mathinna Group rocks feature steeply incised trough‐like channels, with near‐channel hillslope gradients mostly between 30° and 50°. Rectangular blocks disintegrate to gravel cobbles on the channel bed, providing poor anchorage for vegetation. Mathinna lithology influences steep, low roughness channels, and stable, incised recurved meanders formed by river interaction with vertical layers of resistant rock. The resistant bedrock lithology is demonstrated in this study to influence varied river planforms, near‐channel slope gradients, channel sediments and cross sections.