Stream power: definition, uses and limitations for a hydro-geomorphic river typology

On the basis of a large bibliographic synthesis, the spatial scales used in applications of the stream power concert were examined, which allows the e xtension of the utilisation of stream power for finer typologies than those related to channel pattern or floodplains. The theoretical longitudinal ev olution of gross stream power and specific stream power does not allow an e asy river sectorisation. On the other hand, the physiographic or the geomor phologic discontinuities call be an appropriate basis for a sectorisation. Some comparisons between stream reaches obtained on this basis allow the el aboration of a pertinente typology, as have done BERNOT & CREUZE DES CHATEL LIERS (1998). It is important to take the differences between the stream power estimation methods into account when comparing their results. Unlike some current ide as, the exploitation of data collected North-East France exhibit clearly, t hat stream power is not an independent variable of the fluvial system: it's strongly influenced by sinuosity (gradient) and the channel geometry (widt h). Therefore, a river typology cannot exclusively rely upon specific strea m power. The use of additional geomorphological variables appears necessary for the interpretation of specific stream power. It is necessary to, at le ast, for accurate characterization of each stream type morphology and dynam ic.