Morphological Assessment and Management Interpretation of The Kal-E Shur Sabzevar Using the Rasgen Classification Method

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Department of Geomorphology, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

2 Department of Natural Geography, Faculty of Remote Sensing and GIS, Esfahan University, Esfahan, Iran

Abstract

Riverine systems are of significant morphological importance due to their key role in the management and protection of floodplains. This study aims to evaluate the morphological changes and management of the Kal-e Shur River in Sabzevar using the Rasgen classification system. Initially, morphometric parameters were calculated using HEC-RAS software, and 419 cross-sections across 40 river reaches were extracted from satellite imagery. Sediment samples were collected from the riverbed to characterize the local sediment types. Nineteen geomorphological parameters were analyzed, and the most influential factors controlling river type were identified using the Information Gain Ratio (IGR) index. Results indicated that land use, precipitation, elevation, soil type, drainage density, vegetation cover index (NDVI), lithology, topographic slope, distance from the channel, topographic wetness index (TWI), and sediment transport index (STI) exerted the greatest influence. Segments classified as type D, with gentle slopes and sandy beds, exhibited poor conditions regarding sediment supply and erosion, although vegetation cover in these areas remained relatively preserved. Type C reaches were characterized by significant channel incision and high potential for erosion and flooding. In type B rivers, changes in flow patterns and sediment input contributed to channel instability. Conversely, type A, E, and G segments showed stable beds, lower sensitivity to turbulence, and better-preserved vegetation cover. These findings demonstrate that the Rasgen classification aligns well with geomorphological and morphometric factors, supporting its application in river management, restoration, and the mitigation of erosion, sedimentation, and flood hazards.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Ariayi, H. & Lashkar-Ara, B., 2018. Geomorphological classification of the Balaroud River using Rosgen theory. 11th International River Engineering Conference, Ahvaz. Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, 1-9.
Aziziyan, A., Samadi, A. & Aghaz, M., 2017. Practical training in flow and sediment modeling in HEC-RAS. Tehran Innovative Publications, 308.
Baajzadeh Z., Shah-Hosseini M. & Shayan S., 2025. Evaluating the effects of anthropogenic and tectonic factors on landform changes with the aim of improving the environment (case study: Shour river and Eshtehard plain). Journal of Environmental Erosion Research, 15(1), 1-24
Banerji, D. & Patel, P.P., 2018. Morphological aspects of the Bakreshwar river corridor in western fringe of lower ganga basin. in quaternary geomorphology in India: case studies from the lower ganga basin (pp. 155-189). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Daja, Sh., Xhemalaj, X., Lipo, Sk. & Ago, B., 2018. Stream Channel Characterization Vjosa
River – a unique natural river. Acta ZooBot Austria, 155, 63–71.
Dury, G.H., 1976. Discharge prediction, present and former, from channel dimensions. Journal of Hydrology, 30(3), 219-245.
Esfandiyari Darabad, F., Bakhshandeh, R., Rahimi, M., Haji, K. & Mostafazadeh, R., 2021. Geomorphological classification and analysis of Hamzekhanloo River using the Rosgen classification model. Journal of Hydrogeomorphology, 7(25), 59-39.
Farzaneh, H., 2015. Study of flood culvert as a solution for optimal water use in the agricultural industry in Sabzevar region, National Conference on Optimal Water Use in Industry: Challenges and Solutions, Article ID (COI) OWCI01_011.
Geravand, F., Hosseini, S.M., Jafar Beglou, M. & Pirani, P., 2020. Study in vulnerable areas Kashkan river using channel stream classification as Rosgen model (case study: downstream area of the Shiravand basin). Quantitative Geomorphological Research, 9(2), 128-140.
Haron, N.A., Yusuf, B., Sulaiman, M.S., Razak, M.S.A. & Nurhidayu, S., 2022. Morphological assessment of river stability: Review of the most influential parameters. Sustainability, 14(16), 10025.
Khaleghi, S., Hosseinzadeh, M. & Fathollah Atikandi, P., 2020. Morphological classification and channel instability of Kaleybarchai river. Journal of Hydrogeomorphology, 6(21), 43-64.
Ismaili, R. & Hosseinzadeh, M.M., 2015. Comparison of Rosgen method and the river style framework for mountain rivers, a case study of northern Alborz, Lavich watershed. Earth Science Researches, 21, 64-79.
Kheirizadeh, M., Rezaei Moghadam, M., Rajabi, M. & Daneshfaraz, R., 2018. Analyzing Lateral Changes of the Zarrineh-roud river channel using geomorphometric techniques. Quantitative Geomorphological Research, 5(4), 76-102.
Kleinhans, M.G. & Van den Berg, J.H., 2011. River channel and bar patterns explained and predicted by an empirical and physics-based method. Earth Surf. Processes Landforms, 36, 721-738.
Layeghi, S. & Karam, A., 2014. Hydrogeomorphological classification of Jajrood River using the Rosgen model. Quantitative Geomorphology Research, (3) 3, 3130-143.  
Leopold, L.B. & Wolman, M.G., 1957. River channel patterns, braided, meandering and straight. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper. 282- B, 283-300.
Li, Y., Zhang, Y., Zheng, N., Li, L., Ji, H., Bao, Z. & Feng, Z., 2025. Global classification of river morphology based on inland water dynamics characterization and digital elevation data. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 14258.
Mehrvarz, A., Madadi, A., Esfandiary Darabad, F. & Rahimi, M., 2020. Simulation of dare Ourt river floods using hydrodynamic model HEC-RAS in GIS environmental (case study: from Shorestan village to confluence of Aras River). Quantitative Geomorphology Research, (4) 8, 131-146.
Minghui, Y.U., Hongyan, W. & Chunyan, H.U., 2010. Study on the stability of non-cohesive river bank. International Journal of Sediment Research, 25(4), 391-398.
Meehan, M.A. & O’Brien, P.L., 2019. Using the Rosgen stream classification system to aid in riparian complex ecological site descriptions development. Rangeland Ecology & Management, 72(5), 729-735.
Nayyeri, H., Osati, Kh. & Osmani, P., 2017. Geomorphological equilibrium by Rosgen and river style framework methods (case study: Tarwal river, Kurdistan). Physical Geography Research, 49 (3), 541-556.
Panahi, R., Mashashaei, M. & Mashashaei, S.M., 2022. Morphological analysis of the Mahidasht River. Hydrogeomorphology, 9 (32), 43-62.
Piégay, H., Arnaud, F., Belletti, B., Cassel, M., Marteau, B., Riquier, J. ... & Vazquez-Tarrio, D., 2023. Why consider geomorphology in river rehabilitation?. Land, 12(8), 1491.
Pourhamzeh Bajestani, H., Goli Mokhtari, L. & Amir Ahmadi, A., 2019. Runoff management of the Kal-e Shur basin of Sabzevar from a geomorphological perspective, Master's thesis, Hakim Sabzevari University, 92.
Rasgen, D.L., 1994. A classification of natural rivers. Catena, 22, 169-199.
Rasgen, D.L., 1996. Applied River Morphology. Colorado, Wildland Hydrology, Pagosa Springs.
Rezaei Moghadam, M.H., Nikjoo, M.R., Yasi, M. & Rahimi, M., 2017. Geomorphological analysis of Gara sou river channel using hierarchical Rosgen model (from Sabalan dam to confluence of Ahar-Chay river). Quantitative Geomorphology Research, 2(6), 1-10.
Rinaldi, M., Surian, N., Comiti, F. & Bussettini, M., 2012. A method for the assessment and analysis of the Hydromorphological condition of Italian streams, the Morphological Quality Index (MQI). Geomorphology, v. 180, 96-108.
Roostaei, J., et al. (2013). Application of Rosgen classification in semi-arid rivers of Iran. Journal of Arid Environments, 95, 45–56.
Roustaee, S., Khorshiddoost, A. & Khaleghi, S., 2013. Evaluation of Lighvan River duct morphology using Rosgen classification method. Quantitative Geomorphological Research, 1(4), 1-16.
Roy, N., et al., 2016. Evaluation of Rosgen stream classification in ephemeral rivers of India. Geomorphology, 266, 85–98.
Roy, S. & Sahu, A.S., 2016. Effect of land cover on channel form adjustment of headwater streams in a lateritic belt of West Bengal (India). International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 4(4), 267-277.
Schumm, S.A., 1963. A tentative classification of alluvial river channels. United States Department of the Interior, Geological Survey.
Sear, L., 2003. Guidebook of Applied Fluvial Geomorphology, R&D Technical Report FD1914. Defra. London. ISBN: 978-0-7277-3509-6.
Shirzadi, A., Soleimani, K., Habibnejad Roshanbaha, M., Kaviyan, A. & Chapi, K., 2017. A novel ensemble algorithm-based model for shallow landslide susceptibility assessment around the Bijar city. Geography and Development, 46, 225-246.
Shroder, J., 2013. Treatise on geomorphology, Vol. 9: Treatise on Fluvial Geomorphology, Elsevier Inc, 860.
Talebi, D. & Bayazidi, S., 2008. A Study on morphological changes of river using the Rosgen classification (case study: Sabzekooh River). Proceedings of 7th Iranian Hydraulic Conference, University of Power and Water Industry (Shahid Abbaspour), Iran, 1-10.  
Ward, A., D’Ambrosio, J.L. & Mecklenburg, D., 2008. Stream Classification, The Ohio State
University, Fact Sheet Agriculture and Natural Resources, AEX-445-01.
Wen, Y., Li, P., Li, M., Ma, C., Gao, P., Mu, X. & Zhao, G., 2025. Changes in river cross-section morphology and response to streamflow and sediment processes in middle reaches of Yellow river, China. Chinese Geographical Science, 35(1), 161-174.
Yamani, M., Maghsoudi, M., Mohammadkhan, S. & Moradi, A., 2015. Morphological classification of the Talwar River channel based on the Rozgan method and its efficiency (between the villages of Kechigerd and Hassan Khan). Earth Science Research, (23) 6, 1-18.  

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics