A bankfull geometry dataset for major exorheic rivers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Bankfull river discharge shapes river morphology. The bankfull river surface planform and river width can be used to quantify river size. Regional studies of stream ecology, hydrologic modelling, river carbon emissions and geomorphology from the perspective of fluvial processes are hindered by the lack of a highly accurate spatially distributed river network that considers bankfull river geometry. Based on Sentinel-2 and Landsat 5/7/8 multispectral instrument imagery and in situ measured hydrological data, the river discharge and width of spatially distributed cross sections of six major exorheic rivers and their tributaries located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) are calculated under bankfull conditions. Then, the bankfull river surface is extracted. Finally, a bankfull river width and surface area database is established. The provided planform river hydromorphology data can supplement global hydrography datasets and effectively represent the combined fluvial geomorphology and geological background in the study area.

Automated summary

Bankfull river discharge plays a crucial role in shaping river morphology and quantifying river size. However, the lack of accurate spatially distributed river network data has hindered regional studies in various fields such as stream ecology, hydrologic modeling, river carbon emissions, and geomorphology. In this study, using satellite imagery and hydrological data, the maximum river discharge and width of major rivers and their tributaries on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were calculated. A bankfull river width and surface area database was then established, providing valuable data for global hydrography datasets and representing fluvial geomorphology and geological background in the study area effectively.