Self-preserving longitudinal profile of one-dimensional delta

Abstract

Self-preserving profiles have been observed in experimentally produced onedimensional deltas. We analytically derive such a self-preserving profile from the St. Venant shallow water equations and the continuity equation of sediment, giving profiles of concave form. The theory predicts that the increasing height of the delta front decelerates the migration of the front and reduces the gradient of the longitudinal profile. The experimental results support these results.