Disturbances in coarse bedload transport in a high-mountain stream channel system (Western Tatras, Poland)

Abstract Bedload transport measurements in the formerly glaciated Chocholowski catchment located in the Western Tatras in Poland were performed in the period 1975 to 2018. Measurement of bedload displacement allowed to determine the role of bedload transport disturbances in both system connectivity and sediment transfer. Bedload transport occurred as many as triggered up to several times a year. The longest distances were observed during rain-on-snow events: between 12 m in headwaters and over 100 m in the fluvial valley. Bedload became activated along the entire length of the channel system (10.5 km) every 2 to 5 years when the stream discharge exceeded 10 m3 s−1 (with an average of 1.25 m3 s−1). In such situations, bedload dynamics increased downstream, and stream power was sufficient to overcome local barriers (i.e. boulder and log steps). Downstream increases in bedload dynamics may become disturbed and inverted by sudden snowmelt and locally heavy rainfall. These types of events caused the dynamics of bedload transport to be 190% to 320% greater in the upper part of the studied catchment and to decline in the downstream direction over a distance of 7 km to yield an attenuation effect. The same pattern was observed in local tributaries where the dynamics of bedload transport were 200% higher in the upper part and attenuation was observed along a distance of 1.5 km in the downstream direction. All events of this type cause seasonal disturbances in bedload transport. However, the greatest effect on bedload dynamics was produced by natural deforestation. A 16% decrease in forest cover causes a fluvial system disequilibrium manifested in an intensification of hydro-geomorphologic processes and formation of new landforms.