Meander dynamics of the Karasu and Murat Rivers: A morphometric assessment for the period 1972–2022

Abstract

This study analyzes the temporal and spatial dynamics of the meandering channels of the Karasu and Murat rivers, which drain the Muş Plain in Eastern Anatolia, over the period from 1972 to 2022. Using ArcGIS-based morphometric measurements, key parameters such as channel length, number of meanders, sinuosity ratio, amplitude, and wavelength were determined, and the evolutionary processes of the rivers were quantitatively assessed. The findings reveal that both rivers naturally exhibit meandering flow characteristics due to the low-gradient nature of the plain. However, over time, significant morphological changes have occurred as a result of both natural processes (e.g., floods, sediment transport) and anthropogenic interventions (e.g., dam constructions, channel modifications). In the northern branch of the Murat River, a decrease in meander activity and increased channel stabilization were observed due to the influence of dam structures, whereas the western branch displayed more dynamic meandering activity. In the case of the Karasu River, a major channelization project carried out in 2008 led to the elimination of much of its natural meander pattern and altered the river’s flow regime.The results demonstrate how the natural evolution of river systems can be significantly altered by human interventions, with substantial geomorphological and ecological implications. This study emphasizes the need to monitor river morphodynamics by considering both natural and artificial processes together and highlights the importance of developing sustainable watershed management strategies. Furthermore, the morphometric data obtained from this research can contribute to decision-support mechanisms in applications such as flood risk analysis and land-use planning.

Keywords

• Meander dynamics
• River morphology
• Muş Plain
• Morphometric analysis
• River management
• Dam impacts
• Anthropogenic intervention
• Sediment transport
• Flood risk

Karasu ve Murat Nehirlerinin mendereslenme dinamikleri: 1972–2022 dönemine ait morfometrik bir değerlendirme

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi'nde yer alan Muş Ovası'nı drene eden Karasu ve Murat nehirlerinin menderesli kanal dinamiklerini, 1972–2022 yılları arasındaki zamansal ve mekânsal değişimleri temel alarak analiz etmektedir. Çalışmada, ArcGIS tabanlı morfometrik ölçümlerle kanal uzunluğu, menderes sayısı, sinüozite oranı, amplitüd ve dalga boyu gibi temel parametreler kullanılarak, nehirlerin evrimsel süreçleri nicel verilerle değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, her iki nehrin de ovanın düşük eğimli yapısına bağlı olarak doğal olarak menderesli akış karakteri gösterdiğini, ancak zaman içerisinde hem doğal süreçler (taşkınlar, sediman taşınımı) hem de beşerî müdahaleler (baraj inşaatları, kanal düzenlemeleri) sonucunda morfolojik değişimler geçirdiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Murat Nehri'nin kuzey kolunda inşa edilen Alparslan I ve Alparslan II baraj yapılarının etkisiyle menderes aktivitesinde azalma ve kanal stabilizasyonu gözlenirken, batı kolunda daha yüksek menderes dinamikleri tespit edilmiştir. Karasu Nehri’nde ise 2008 yılında gerçekleştirilen kapsamlı yatak ıslahı müdahalesi, doğal menderes yapısının büyük ölçüde ortadan kalkmasına ve akım rejiminin değişmesine neden olmuştur. Elde edilen sonuçlar, nehir sistemlerinin doğal evriminin antropojenik müdahalelerle nasıl değişebileceğini ve bunun hem jeomorfolojik hem de ekolojik sonuçlar doğurabileceğini göstermektedir. Çalışma, doğal ve yapay süreçlerin birlikte ele alınarak nehir morfodinamiğinin izlenmesi ve sürdürülebilir havza yönetimi stratejilerinin geliştirilmesi gerektiğini vurgulamaktadır. Ayrıca elde edilen morfometrik veriler, taşkın risk analizi ve arazi kullanım planlaması gibi uygulamalarda karar destek mekanizmalarına katkı sunabilecek niteliktedir.

Keywords

• Menderes
• Muş Ovası
• Morfometrik analiz
• Nehir yönetimi
• Baraj etkisi
• İnsan müdahalesi
• Sediman taşınımı
• Taşkın riski

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