Knickzones in Mixed Bedrock-Alluvial Channels

Montgomery Bell State Park, Tennessee

Eli Schwat and Dr. David Furbishs Geomorphology Class, Vanderbilt University
Introduction and Motivation
Understanding the erosive power of streams is a fundamental part of any geomorphological
understanding of the Earth. Streambed incision creates terraces and, eventually, valleys. Knickzones and
knickpoint migration are a major way in which transient streambed incision occurs - incision begins at the
mouth of a stream and propagates upstream. Castillo et al. (2013) found it unclear whether or not small
streams can adapt to base level change by way of knickpoint migration. This investigation aims to
validate the action of knickpoint migration in small, mixed bedrock-alluvial channels.
Conceptual Model
Knickpoint Migration
The model explored in this report explains the sometimes-transient nature of stream bed incision.
A knickpoint is a specific location in a stream profile where the slope is steeper than the rest of the stream
profile - think of a waterfall, series of rapids, or simply a particularly steep part of a river. Anderson et al.
(2010) describe a knickpoint as a steep reach sandwiched between two low-gradient reaches. A
knickpoint is created when a sudden change in the base-level of a stream creates a steep stretch. The
streams response to the drop in base level happens at the stream mouth first (Anderson et al., 2010). This
knickpoint consequently travels upstream throughout the stream network (Castillo et al., 2013).
When the base level of a stream changes, a steeper section is created at the mouth of the stream.
Here, water and the sediment in it moves faster and applies a greater force on the stream bed. With
greater force comes greater abrasion and and greater erosion. Eroding the streambed at the mouth - the
first knickpoint - consequently steepens the section of the stream at the top of the knickpoint, increasing
the steepness there, and therefore increasing the erosion. Increasing the slope at the top of the knickzone
decreases the overall slope of the knickzone, decreasing the erosion occurring at the bottom of the

knickzone. Increased erosion at the top and decreased erosion at the bottom of the original knickzone
causes the knickzone to migrate upstream. Bedrock incision by a migrating knickpoint is characterized
by a low rate of incision at a point in the stream for an extended period of time interrupted by a short
period of high-rate incision when the knickpoint passes by (Anderson et al., 2010).

(Anderson et al., 2010)

In the figure above, a knickpoint is created by a drop in base level. The solid line is the original
streambed profile and the dotted line is the final streambed profile after the knickpoint migrates
throughout the stream. At time 1 (t = 1), the knickpoint is approximately 2.25 kilometers from the divide,
and the knickpoint has passed through approximately of the stream and has downcut about of the
streambed. At time 2 (t = 2), the knickpoint has passed through approximately of the stream, and has
downcut about of the streambed. As time approaches infinity, the knickpoint will reach the divide and
will downcut the entirety of the streambed.
The impact of knickpoint migration significantly affects the topography of the stream valley. As
the knickpoint migrates upstream, floodplains are abandoned and become terraces (Zaprowski et al.,
2001). Above the knickzone, far less incision has occurred and the stream will be in a broader valley
(Zaprowski et al., 2001). A floodplain above the knickzone may be at the same relative level as a terrace
below the knickzone; below the lower terrace will be a newer floodplain.

The Dual Role of Sediment

Because water itself cannot erode bedrock (except bedrock that can be dissolved), incision is due
to the presence of sediment in a stream. Stream sediment plays a dualistic role - it can erode bedrock
when present in the correct amounts, but can protect the bedrock when present in great amounts. A mixed
bedrock-alluvial channel defines a stream in which a medial amount of sediment is present - enough to
erode bedrock but not enough to begin protecting the bedrock.
Measurements & Observations
Our survey of the small, mixed bedrock-alluvial channel in Montgomery Bell State Park provided
great evidence for the presence of a knickzone. The Streambed Profile below displays the streambed
elevation over a horizontal distance of approximately 180 meters. The diagram illustrates a steep stretch,

between 50-150 meters, sandwiched between two low-gradient stretches, between 0-50 and 150-180, as
described by Anderson et al. (2010).
Large sand bars, or sediment piles, around 180 meters marks the change from steep gradient to
shallow gradient. The presence of sediment before the 0 meter mark shows that the gradient before the
knickpoint is also shallow. The steep stretch of the stream between 0 and 180 meters was largely clear of
sediment. The streambed here was composed of mostly visible bedrock, though small amounts of
sediment - an amount necessary for erosion - was present.

Evidence for incision into the bedrock was also present. Knickzone migration is a method of
bedrock incision, of valley creation. The two stream cross sections below describe the downcutting of the
stream.

At 0 meters, the top of our survey, there exists paired terraces and paired floodplains (T 1 and F1). At 116
meters, toward the end of our survey, the original floodplain (F 1) has become a terrace (T2). The
downcutting of the stream created a second pair of floodplains (F 2); the stream has incised into the
bedrock. The valley profile above the knickzone was far broader than at and below the knickzone, with
larger floodplains and terraces much further away from the stream. This survey is in accordance with the
findings of Zaprowski et al. (2001).
Conclusions
Our findings are quite consistent with the knickpoint migration model. The cross sections reveal
that less incision has occurred at the top of our surveyed stream section - above the knickzone - than at
the bottom - where the knickzone has already passed. As the knickpoint continues to migrate upward,
more sediment will be deposited at the downstream part of the surveyed section, more incision will occur
towards the upstream section, and sediment will be removed from the upstream section and brought

downstream as the streambed gradient steepens around the 0 meter mark. Our survey revealed that
knickpoint migration is an active mechanism of streambed incision in small, mixed bedrock-alluvial
channels.

References
Anderson, R. S., & Anderson, S. P. (2010). Geomorphology: The mechanics and chemistry of
landscapes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Castillo, M., Bishop, P., & Jansen, J. D. (2013, 12). Knickpoint retreat and transient bedrock channel
morphology triggered by base-level fall in small bedrock river catchments: The case of the Isle
of Jura, Scotland. Geomorphology,180-181, 1-9. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.08.023
Zaprowski, B. J., Evenson, E. B., Pazzaglia, F. J., & Epstein, J. B. (2001, 12). Knickzone propagation
in the Black Hills and northern High Plains: A different perspective on the late Cenozoic
exhumation of the Laramide Rocky Mountains.Geology, 29(6), 547.
doi:10.1130/0091-7613(2001)0292.0.CO;2