Relations among mean flow, turbulence, and mixing at a small stream confluence

Bruce L. Rhoads, Quinn W. Lewis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Stream confluences are important locations for mixing in river systems. This study examines the relations among the mean flow, turbulence, and lateral mixing at a small stream confluence. Advective effects associated with secondary motion of the mean flow dominate mixing in the channel downstream of the confluence. Detailed analysis of velocity and turbidity time series at a location corresponding to the time-averaged position of the mixing interface shows that the exact location of the mixing interface is unsteady and dominated by pulses of interacting fluid from each tributary. These pulses of interacting fluid reflect the passage of coherent turbulent structures, generated by lateral shear between the flows, past the point of measurement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationRiver Flow 2016
Subtitle of host publicationIowa City, USA, July 11-14, 2016
PublisherCRC Press
Pages1633-1639
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9781317289128
ISBN (Print)9781315644479
StatePublished - Jun 22 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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