Lidar-Derived Aerial Maps Reveal the Dramatic Meandering Changes in River Banks Over Millennia
Lidar-derived image of the meandering Alabama River in Alabama, USA. The Cahaba River joins the Alabama in the upper center of the image. All images © Dan Coe
The Yellowstone River near Hysham, Montana. At almost 700 miles in length, the Yellowstone is the longest un-dammed river in the continental U.S.
Lidar-derived image of the Milk River in northeastern Montana. The Milk is a tributary of the Missouri River and its watershed covers parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Montana.
The Vistula River (Wisla) floodplain near Szczucin, Poland. The Vistula is Poland’s prime river, flowing from the border with Czechia and Slovakia to the Baltic Sea.
^^^Tying it up with
Pi and Rivers trivia
@damselfly59 these are absolutely beautiful
@elmaxx aren't they😍
@damselfly59 the images are available for download from flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/165735975@N07/albums/72177720300430213/
@elmaxx Thank you! Just amazing. I worked with LiDar and hydrology for years have an affinity for rivers as I live next to a periodic flooder. 💜 maps
@damselfly59 Beautiful!
@damselfly59 Thank you. Currently teaching a hydrology unit in my earth science course. These visuals will be something cool for the students to see.
I was a Raft Guide/Trip Leader from 1980 to 1990, 2013 and 2019 (at age 62 in 2019) ~ I can't remember when I learned a "factoid" (nor confirm it):
"No river can remain straight for ten lengths of its width"
(Eg: a river 50ft wide cannot keep straight beyond 500ft)
Theories I'd heard, determined that oscillations prevented the straight run ~ and oxbow bends eventually can become lakes, when the oscillations cut through the bend(s).
😇
@zenmudprod 💙 thank you! I oar the PNW rivers have been on a hiatus for a couple years but hoping this year or next to be riding waves again. Love the oxbows they always feel so magical. Our hills are big so typically canyons.
I am wondering if the dams break or bend those rules?
Age: had to help this 80yo couple beach their boat one day. They are my heros. I hope to add to my 20yrs. As a girl I had to learn to use the river vs strong arming it. Its the 5 days of lumping that is hard now lol..
@damselfly59
"You can dance with The River ~ but you gotta let him lead..."
(Credit: Dagmar; sweet colleague in the Eighties)
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(Pointing at the bat I rescued, on the Rio Grande below Creede, CO)
(My meme)
Lidar-derived image of the Willamette River, Santiam River, and Luckiamute River north of Albany, Oregon.