Some Geo-Technical Aspects of Meander Cutoff in Alluvial Environment

The non-tidal Bhagirathi river, one of the most important waterways of West Bengal, India, displays picturesque meanders the behaviour of which appears to be random because of urpredictable bank-erosion. Thus an investigation has been made on some geo-technical aspects of the soil of the banks of the river. The results show that the nature of thc erosion of the banks which possess very closely similar soils, is difficult to explain only on the basis of the soil properties. It appears that the existing hydro-dynamic environment, its mega-or micro-Ievel changes and the soils of the banks are the key factors behind this bank-erosion.