What characterizes braided streams?

Braided streams are characterized by carrying heavy sediment loads, particularly a significant amount of bed load. This occurs because these streams typically form in environments where there is a high availability of sediment, such as areas with seasonal melting snow or glacial regions. These streams are often dynamic and experience fluctuating water levels, leading to the formation of multiple channels that interweave and separate periodically. The abundant sediment combines with the stream's flow to create the braided pattern in the landscape.

During high water events, the increased flow can transport significant amounts of sediment, which can include everything from sand to larger gravel particles. After such events, when the water level decreases, the sediment can be deposited, altering the stream's course and contributing to the characteristic braiding pattern observed in these types of streams. Thus, the ability of braided streams to carry heavy sediment loads is a direct result of the hydrodynamic and geomorphic processes at work in their formation.