Simulation Model of Stream Capture

Research Article| May 01, 1971 Simulation Model of Stream Capture ALAN D HOWARD ALAN D HOWARD Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1971) 82 (5): 1355–1376. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1971)82[1355:SMOSC]2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 10 Jul 1970 rev-recd: 17 Dec 1970 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation ALAN D HOWARD; Simulation Model of Stream Capture. GSA Bulletin 1971;; 82 (5): 1355–1376. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1971)82[1355:SMOSC]2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Because the importance of the process of capture, or piracy, in the formation of stream networks is difficult to evaluate by field or map studies, an indirect approach is used in this paper to investigate capture, through the use of a simulation model involving capture within rectangular stream networks on a square matrix. The simulation rules make the probability of capture of a stream by a lower adjacent stream proportional to the advantage in gradient of the potential path of capture between the streams compared to the present gradient of the higher stream. Stream elevations are assumed to be defined by the same type of pattern observed in natural stream networks, that is, a linear relationship between the logarithms of gradient and drainage area. The slope of this relationship, Z, is variable in nature and is the main adjustable parameter in the simulation model. Simulation of capture must start from assigned initial network patterns; random walk networks and parallel drainage are among those used for initial networks.For a given value of Z, the statistical properties of networks (for example, stream numbers, length and area ratios, and shape factors) formed after repeated captures are nearly the same for a wide range of assigned initial networks. However, when the value of Z changes during capture, the statistical properties of the resultant networks may depend upon the type of change, so that properties may be partially inherited from earlier stages of basin evolution.Both the networks simulated by capture and natural networks have similar slight deviations from topological randomness. The capture simulations more closely predict many properties of natural networks than do completely random methods of simulation, such as the random walk. In addition, several parameters in the capture-simulated networks exhibit a consistent trend with respect to the parameter Z that appears to occur also in natural networks. These correspondences between the capture model and natural networks suggest that capture may be an important natural process. However, capture should have its greatest relative importance in early stages of drainage basin evolution. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.