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WigglyRivers: A tool to characterize the multiscale nature of meandering channels
Journal article   Peer reviewed

WigglyRivers: A tool to characterize the multiscale nature of meandering channels

Daniel Gonzalez-Duque and Jesus D. Gomez-Velez
Environmental modelling & software : with environment data news, Vol.188, p.106423
04/01/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2025.106423
url
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/2538245View
Open Access

Abstract

Channel sinuosity is ubiquitous along river networks, producing complex patterns that encapsulate and influence morphodynamic processes and ecosystem services. Accurately characterizing these patterns is challenging with traditional curvature-based algorithms. Here, we present WigglyRivers, a Python package that builds on existing wavelet-based methods to create an unsupervised meander identification and characterization tool. The package uses planimetric information the user provides or from the USGS’s High-Resolution National Hydrography Dataset to characterize individual reaches or entire river networks. WigglyRivers also includes a supervised river identification tool for manually selecting individual meandering features. Here, we provide examples of idealized river transects and show the capabilities of WigglyRivers. We also use the supervised identification tool to validate the unsupervised identification on river transects across the continental US. WigglyRivers is a tool to understand better the multiscale characteristics of river networks and the link between river geomorphology and river corridor connectivity. [Display omitted] •WigglyRivers: A Python package for exploring multiscale meandering channels•WigglyRivers analyzes river transects using the curvature Wavelet Transform•WigglyRivers detects meander bends in rivers and provides key hydrogeomorphic metrics
 Continuous wavelet transform Meanders Python River networks Sinuosity WigglyRivers

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