Ivanov and Piskun: Distribution of River Water and Suspended Sediment Loads
241
full-scale studies are given. Yana delta is not examined in this paper as estimations of water
run-off and suspended sediment load distribution in its branches made on the base of full-scale
observations data and hydraulic calculations were stated earlier by the authors (Ivanov and
Piskun, 1995).
Figure 1: A general layout of river deltas in the basins of the Laptev and east Siberian Seas.
Methods and materials
In the general case, data of measurements in sparsely investigated river deltas are always
insufficient for estimating the distribution and redistribution of water and sediment load
discharges. This is attributed to a complicated character of the delta forks in the zone of river
and sea influence, severe climatic conditions making expedition studies difficult. Hence, fullscale studies should be minimized to an extent sufficient to obtain initial information for
hydraulic calculations, physical and numerical modeling of water and sediment load dynamics.
Based on multiyear experience of AARI studies of the water and channel regime of river
deltas in the arctic zone, the following is undertaken in succession for estimating the
distribution of water and sediment load discharges: collection, generalization and analysis of
historical information on water discharges and levels, sediments and hydrographic surveys of
channels in the deltas; calculation of hydraulic-morphometric characteristics and hydraulic
resistance by delta arms (as initial information for hydraulic calculations and hydrodynamic
modeling) (Grishanin, 1967; Ivanov, 1968; Piskun, 1978). If initial data on the resistance of
arms at different channel filling are insufficient, full-scale measurements of water discharges
and levels and hydrographic surveys are organized and small-scale aerodynamic modeling is
performed (Gilyarov and Ivanov, 1960, 1967, 1975). Also, aerodynamic models are used for
verifying different design delta regulation variants for improving shipping conditions, and lately
for addressing ecological problems. Depending on the aims and goals for which estimates of
the distribution of water discharges and levels are made, hydraulic calculations are performed
(Ivanov, 1968; Ivanov et aI., 1983, 1990; Piskun, 1992) and, if necessary, hydrodynamic
modeling (Ivanov and Kotrekhov, 1976). The methods of hydraulic calculations are addressed
to engineering problems or to the collection of initial information for hydrodynamic models,
including models for transfer of pollutants.
According to the methodological approach presented above, a number of estimates and
studies of the distribution and redistribution of the water and suspended sediment load
discharge in the river deltas in the arctic zone were made. This enables us to have now quite a
241
full-scale studies are given. Yana delta is not examined in this paper as estimations of water
run-off and suspended sediment load distribution in its branches made on the base of full-scale
observations data and hydraulic calculations were stated earlier by the authors (Ivanov and
Piskun, 1995).
Figure 1: A general layout of river deltas in the basins of the Laptev and east Siberian Seas.
Methods and materials
In the general case, data of measurements in sparsely investigated river deltas are always
insufficient for estimating the distribution and redistribution of water and sediment load
discharges. This is attributed to a complicated character of the delta forks in the zone of river
and sea influence, severe climatic conditions making expedition studies difficult. Hence, fullscale studies should be minimized to an extent sufficient to obtain initial information for
hydraulic calculations, physical and numerical modeling of water and sediment load dynamics.
Based on multiyear experience of AARI studies of the water and channel regime of river
deltas in the arctic zone, the following is undertaken in succession for estimating the
distribution of water and sediment load discharges: collection, generalization and analysis of
historical information on water discharges and levels, sediments and hydrographic surveys of
channels in the deltas; calculation of hydraulic-morphometric characteristics and hydraulic
resistance by delta arms (as initial information for hydraulic calculations and hydrodynamic
modeling) (Grishanin, 1967; Ivanov, 1968; Piskun, 1978). If initial data on the resistance of
arms at different channel filling are insufficient, full-scale measurements of water discharges
and levels and hydrographic surveys are organized and small-scale aerodynamic modeling is
performed (Gilyarov and Ivanov, 1960, 1967, 1975). Also, aerodynamic models are used for
verifying different design delta regulation variants for improving shipping conditions, and lately
for addressing ecological problems. Depending on the aims and goals for which estimates of
the distribution of water discharges and levels are made, hydraulic calculations are performed
(Ivanov, 1968; Ivanov et aI., 1983, 1990; Piskun, 1992) and, if necessary, hydrodynamic
modeling (Ivanov and Kotrekhov, 1976). The methods of hydraulic calculations are addressed
to engineering problems or to the collection of initial information for hydrodynamic models,
including models for transfer of pollutants.
According to the methodological approach presented above, a number of estimates and
studies of the distribution and redistribution of the water and suspended sediment load
discharge in the river deltas in the arctic zone were made. This enables us to have now quite a