Quantitative Flood Analysis and Sediment Transport Capacity of River Baro in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract:

This study carried out an extensive analysis of flow and mobile bed material characteristics of River Baro in Niger State, Nigeria. Fifty-two years of daily discharge and water level data were collected and analyzed using the annual maximum streamflow. In addition, the test of the sediment materials collected at different locations along the river reach were analyzed. The sediment transport parameters such as fall velocity, Shield parameter, D₅₀, D₉₀, sediment density, Reynolds number, Grain-related Chezy coefficient, bed form factor, and shear stress were determined. The results show a declining rate of maximum annual stream flow under the studied flow regime. The generalized Extreme Value probability distribution model yields the best extreme flood estimation for different return periods. The bank-full discharge increases with an increasing return period. The dynamics of the bed materials show that the Shield parameter responsible for the initiation of motion of bed materials is in the range of (0.028 ≤ θ ≤ 0.19). The mean grain diameter follows (0.2 ≤ D_m ≤ 5) millimeters. The values of the Reynolds number exceeded x × 10⁵, where x is a positive integer. Hence, the flow in the River Baro is Turbulent under the consideration of annual maximum streamflow. The best sediment transport capacity formula for River Baro is the Meyer-Peter and Muller (M-P-M) model. Hence, the mobile bed materials are characterized as being gravel. The highest flood magnitude is in the order of 11800m³/s with a flood level of about 10m corresponding to a 50-year return period. The sediment transport capacity based on the M-P-M model for annual maximum streamflow of 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50-year return periods are 2.3, 2.17, 2.2, 2.27, and 2.33m²/s respectively. Multiplying each value by the river's width and converting the seconds to years will yield annual sediment transport capacity in m³/yr.

• Periodical: Engineering Headway (Volume 28)
• Pages: 71-85
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-Sf5ccH
• Online since: November 2025
• Authors: Olumide Afis Busari*, Valentine Yato Katte
• Keywords: Eugelund and Hansen Model, Flood Analysis, Meyer–Peter and Muller Model, Quantitative Analysis, River Baro, Sediment Transport Capacity

References

[1] Chinweabu, O.O and Busari, A.O. Flood frequency analysis of River Niger at Lokoja Gauge Station: A morphodynamic approach. Presented at the 1st Faculty of Engineering and Technology International Conference (FETICON, 2023). NLNG Building, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. 5th – 7th June, 2023.

[2] Wallis, E., Mac Nally, R. & Lake, P. S. A Bayesian analysis of physical habitat changes at tributary confluences in cobble-bed upland streams of the Acheron River basin, Australia. Water Resources Research, 44, (2008)10.

DOI: 10.1029/2008wr006831

[3] Jerie, K., I., H. & Peters, D. Tasmania's river geomorphology: stream character and regional analysis Hobart, Nature Conservation Branch, Dept. of Primary Industries, (2003) Water and Environment.

[4] Li, L., Ni, J.R., Chang, F et al, (2020). Global trends in water and sediment fluxes of the world's larger rivers. Science Bulletin, (2020), 65 (1) 62-69.

[5] Ferguson, R. Hydraulic and sedimentary controls of channel pattern. River channels, (1987) 129-158.

[6] Anderson, R. J., Bledsoe, B. P. & Hession, W. C. Width of streams and rivers in response to vegetation, bank material, and other factors. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 40, (2004) 1159-1172.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2004.tb01576.x

[7] Tan G.M., Fang, H.W., Dey, S. Rui-Jin Zhang's Research on Sediment Transport. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering. 144 (6) 2018.

[8] Renschler, C. S., Doyle, M. W. & Thoms, M. Geomorphology and ecosystems: Challenges and keys for success in bridging disciplines. Geomorphology, 89, (2007) 1-8.

DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.07.011

[9] Arthington, A. H., Naiman, R. J., Mcclain, M. E. & Nilsson, C. Preserving the biodiversity and ecological services of rivers: new challenges and research opportunities. Freshwater Biology, 55, (2010) 1-16.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2427.2009.02340.x

[10] Brierley, G. J. & Fryirs, K. A. Geomorphology and River Mangement: applications of the river styles framework, Malden MA, (2005) Blackwell Publishing.

DOI: 10.1002/9780470751367

[11] Brooks, A. P., Brierley, G. J. & Millar, R. G. The long-term control of vegetation and woody debris on channel and flood-plain evolution: insights from a paired catchment study in southeastern Australia. Geomorphology, 51, (2003)7-29.

DOI: 10.1016/s0169-555x(02)00323-9

[12] Crosato, A. & Mosselman, E. Simple physics-based predictor for the number of river bars and the transition between meandering and braiding. Water Resour. Res., 45 (2009).

DOI: 10.1029/2008wr007242

[13] Gurnell, A., Surian, N. & Zanoni, L. Multi-thread river channels: A perspective on changing European alpine river systems. Aquatic Sciences - Research across Boundaries (2009).

DOI: 10.1007/s00027-009-9186-2

[14] Simon, A., Doyle, M., Kondolf, M., Shields, F. D., Rhoads, B. & Mcphillips, M. Critical evaluation of how the Rosgen classification and associated "natural channel design" methods fail to integrate and quantify fluvial processes and channel response. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 43, (2007)1117-1131.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2007.00091.x

[15] Blanka, V. & Kiss, T. Effect of riparian vegetation on Floodplain development: case study on River Maros (biogeomorphology). Tajokologiai Lapok, 4, (2006) 301-308.

[16] Thomson, J. R., Taylor, M. P. & Brierley, G. J. Are River Styles ecologically meaningful? A test of the ecological significance of a geomorphic river characterization scheme. Aquatic Conservation-Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 14, (2004) 25-48.

DOI: 10.1002/aqc.585

[17] Bornette, G., Tabacchi, E., Hupp, C., Puijalon, S. & Rostan, J. C. A model of plant strategies in fluvial hydrosystems. Freshwater Biology, 53, (2008) 1692-1705.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2427.2008.01994.x

[18] Clark, J. S., Rizzo, d. M., Watzin, M. C. & Hession, W. C. Spatial distribution and geomorphic condition of fish habitat in streams: An analysis using hydraulic modelling and geostatistics. River Research and Applications, 24, (2008) 885-899.

DOI: 10.1002/rra.1085

[19] Brierley, G. J. & Fryirs, K. River styles, a geomorphic approach to catchment characterization: Implications for river rehabilitation in Bega catchment, New South Wales, Australia. Environmental Management, 25, (2000) 661-679.

DOI: 10.1007/s002670010052

[20] Naito, K., Ma, H., Nittrouer, J., Zhang, Y., Wu, B., Wang, Y., and Fu, X,. Extended Euglund and Hansen type sediment transport relation for mixture based on sand-silt-bed Yellow River, China. Journal of Hydraulic Research Vol 57, No.6 (2019)770-785.

DOI: 10.1080/00221686.2018.1555554

[21] Yifei, C., Junqiang, X., Meirong, Z., & Shanshan, D. Improved formula of sediment transport capacity and its application in the lower Yellow River. Journal of Hydrology 631 (2024) 1-12.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.130812