A novel numerical approach to the study of riverbed morphometric and hydrological characteristics

Abstract

Reliable prediction of riverbed evolution remains limited by the lack of high‑resolution morphometric data, especially for large rivers flowing through easily erodible soils. This study develops and implements a comprehensive numerical framework designed to reconstruct detailed riverbed geometry by combining multi‑source field and remotely sensed datasets. The method was tested within a 5 km reach of the Amu Darya River in the lower reaches of Uzbekistan, located near the Tashsaka Channel water intake, where intense sediment transport, bank deformation, and rapid morphological adjustments are observed throughout the year. The modelling approach integrates topographic maps, multi‑temporal satellite imagery, and long‑term discharge and stage records from two hydrometric stations to produce initial digital elevation models of the channel bed and banks. The reconstructed geometry was then used in a two‑dimensional hydrodynamic model accounting for sediment transport, bed erosion, and deposition processes; iterative calibration ensured consistency between simulated and observed stages within ± 5 cm. The results demonstrate that the morphometric parameters derived through this multi‑source data‑fusion technique can provide a reliable basis for both scientific analysis and practical hydraulic design in data‑scarce regions. The proposed methodology allows robust assessment of riverbed and channel processes, supports the numerical simulation of sediment‑laden and highly dynamic fluvial environments, and is particularly efficient for predicting morphological behaviour where traditional bathymetric surveys are not feasible. This study therefore contributes to improving hydrodynamic modelling accuracy and to the sustainable management of river resources under conditions of high sediment load, complex channel geometry, and limited ground observations.