Braided Fluvial System

(Multichannel/gravel or sanddominated)

Braided fluvial systems have multiple, relatively shallow channels with a

sinuosity of less than 2.3, a high bed/suspended load ratio, and noncohesive bank material. Braided river deposits can be dominated by
either sand or by gravel and are characteristic of variable-discharge or
ephemeral rivers flowing over high gradients.
Photo by W. W. Little

Conditions Favoring Braiding

High gradient relative to discharge

Low discharge relative to load
High bed load relative to suspended load
Non-cohesive bank materials (commonly sand or gravel)
Ephemeral discharge with relatively high fluctuation

Simplified Model

Braided fluvial systems typically consist of a single major facies

association produced by lateral and intrachannel bars within
channel-forms.

Transverse (side) vs. Longitudinal

(intra-channel) Bars
Transverse bars are
attached to the channel
margin and show some
similarity to point bars
as they build by lateral
migration. Longitudinal
bars form within the
channel and are
dominated by forset
bedding due to
avalanching off the
donwstream end of the
bar.

Model Variability

There is actually a range of braided fluvial styles, each represented

by a somewhat different combination of similar facies.

Causes of Braiding

Braiding occurs when stream discharge is insufficient to transport the

available load. Conditions that favor braiding over meandering are
high erosion rates (high gradient, proximity to source, non-cohesive
channel margins), coarse grain size, and low or variable discharge.

Nodal Migration

Flow from two channels converges at the downstream end of a

bar (node), leading to double helical flow. This accelerates the
flow, causing channel-floor erosion that migrates downstream.
Deposition occurs on the upstream side.

Photo by W. W. Little

Common Facies

Channel bars are commonly composed of structureless (massive),

horizontally-laminated, and trough or planar cross-stratified gravel
and/or sand. Lateral and down-stream accretion are both common.

Structureless (massive) Gravel

Structureless gravel represents rapid deposition as bars within large

channels.
Photo by W. W. Little

Horizontally-bedded Gravel

Horizontally-bedded gravel is formed as clasts are transported along

a channel base or across a bar top. Elongate or flat clasts are
commonly imbricated.
Photo by W. W. Little

Imbricated pebbles

Photo by W. W. Little

Photo by W. W. Little

Horizontally-bedded Sand

Horizontally-bedded sand is formed as sand is transported along a

channel base or across a bar top. It is often capped by ripple-bedded
sand; however the rippled sand tends to be eroded upon the next
flood..

Trough Cross-laminated Sand/Gravel

Braiding occurs when stream discharge is insufficient to transport the

available load. Conditions that favor braiding over meandering are
high erosion rates (high gradient, proximity to source, non-cohesive
channel margins), coarse grain size, and low or variable discharge.
Photo by W. W. Little

Planar Cross-laminated Sand/Gravel

Planar cross-bedded sand and gravel represent down-stream deposition

off the distal end of intrachannel bars.
Photo by W. W. Little

Channel Elements

Channel elements (macroforms/facies associations) include side and

intrachannel bars, as well as many scales of channel fills.
Photo by W. W. Little

Intrachannel (longitudinal) Bars

Bars that form within the channel tend to be elongated parallel to flow
direction, tapering in a down-stream direction and migrate by erosion
on the upstream end and deposition off the down stream end. Primary
internal structures are horizontally bedded (bar top) and planar crossbedded (bar front) sand or gravel. Bar top channel fills are common.
Photo by W. W. Little

Facies Association

For introductory purposes, most braided stream deposits can be simplified to a single
complex association of channel margin and intrachannel bars formed within channels
at multiple scales. Overbank deposits are preserved in minor amounts.

Foreset Bedding
(down-stream accreting macroforms)

Foresets are large-scale planar cross-beds.

Photo by W. W. Little

Channel Margin (transverse) Bars

Bars that form along the margin of a channel tend to migrate toward
the channel center, as the flow is deflected away from the bank.
Primary internal structures are horizontally bedded (bar top) and trough
cross-bedded (bar front) sand or gravel. Bar top channel fills are
common.
Photo by W. W. Little

Bar Top Channel Fills

During flooding, bar tops are scoured. Subsequent waning flow

often results in deposition of cross-bedded sand and gravel within
these relative small channel forms.
Photo by W. W. Little

Photo by W. W. Little

Photo by W. W. Little

Photo by W. W. Little

Overbank Deposits

Floodplains tend to be small and poorly-developed in braided stream

systems. Rapid and repeated lateral migration results in uncommon
preservation for overbank deposits.
Photo by W. W. Little

Large-scale Architecture

Braided fluvial systems are characterized by:

High sand/gravel:mud ratio
High sand/gravel body connectivity
Sheet geometry
Relatively low accommodation development

Photo by W. W. Little

Photo by W. W. Little

Photo by W. W. Little

Photo by W. W. Little

Photo by W. W. Little