Braided rivers are those that, over some part of their length, flow in multiple, mobile channels across a gravel floodplain. They are characterised by a range of channel types and sizes and channels that consist of a network of smaller channels which are themselves separated by small, and often temporary, alluvial islands. The islands found within braided rivers are called eyots or bars. Braided channels often occur in environments that dramatically decrease channel depth, and consequently channel velocity, such as river deltas, peneplains and alluvial fans.
For more information about braided rivers see:
- BRAID - Braided River Aid Network (Google Group)
- Life on a braided river DOC factsheet
- Determinants of regional and local patterns in the floras of braided riverbeds in New Zealand- P. Williams and S. Wiser 2004 - Journal of Biogeography
- Braided rivers (Landcare Research)
- Braided rivers - DOC website
- Upper Waitaki River beds - DOC website
- Braided river ecology by Duncan Gray and Jon S. Harding (2007)