POSSIBLE CONTROL OF NATURAL CHANNEL INITIATION PROCESSES BY A MINIMUMENERGY-DISSIPATION RATE PRINCIPLE

A minimum rate of energy dissipation model was used to study channel i nitiation processes. This model suggests that natural processes arrang e channels heads in such a way that the total energy dissipation rate on hillslopes and in channel networks as well is minimized. The minimu m energy dissipation rate model generates realistic drainage patterns and the drainage densities of the minimum energy dissipation rate basi ns are close to those observed in nature. This study shows that the sp atial distribution of channel heads is not determined by a classical c hannel initiation functions alone, but may be determined by channel in itiation functions in combination with a minimum energy dissipation ra te requirement.