Research Progress and Application of Step-pool Systems in Mountain Streams
山区河流阶梯-深潭研究应用进展

Step-pool systems are a common geomorphologic configuration in high-gradient mountain streams (> 3%-5%) with alternating steps and pools having a stair-like appearance. Step-pool systems are very effective in dissipating flow energy and stabilizing riverbeds, and is an ecologically-sound riverbed pattern in mountain streams, thus it is an important streambed structure and micro-morphologic configuration for high-gradient mountain streams. Extensive research has been carried out on step-pool system since the 1980s through field investigation, flume experiment and mathematic model analysis. The research focused on step-pool development of environmental conditions, configuration feature, formation mechanism, and its hydraulic, geomorphologic and ecologic functions. Step-pool system and similar streambed structures have been applied to mountain stream restoration and stabilization in many countries in recent years, and have shown positive results. This paper synthesizes the recent literature and application cases of step pool, and discusses the possible research directions in the future.