THE CURRENT STATE OF THE GEOGRAPHIC-HYDROLOGICAL APPROACH IN THE STUDY OF CHANNEL PROCESSES (GEOGRAPHICAL CHANNEL STUDY): THEORY AND METHODOLOGY

The paper represents the analysis of the geographic-hydrological approach in the study of river channel formation conditions, their morphology and dynamics. It provides a historical overview and assesses the role of N.I. Makkaveev in the creation of the study and associated scientific school. It substantiates the importance of the geographic-hydrological approach in the development of the theory of channel processes (channel studies) and the solution of related applied problems. Its relationship with the hydromorphological theory of channel processes (GGI), hydrodynamic and hydraulic engineering approaches is demonstrated. The following base contributions of the channel processes study are considered in detail: mechanisms and forms of manifestation of channel processes on lowland, semi-mountain and mountain rivers; river runoff and water regime as leading factors of channel processes (small and large rivers); geological and geomorphological conditions of channel formation (free and limited development of channel changes); sediment flow and composition; vertical channel deformations (incision and accumulation of sediments); morphodynamic types of channels, their diversity and their evolution; ridge movement of sediments and formation of channel bottom relief; river floodplains both as product and factor of channel processes; paleochannel analysis and forecasting of channel changes under hydroclimatic changes and anthropogenic impacts; channel processes as a component of erosion-fluvial systems.

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