Numerical Simulation of Sediment Transport and Morphological Evolution in the Talas River Using a Non-Newtonian Model

Changes in river channel morphology under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors pose a serious threat to the stability of aquatic ecosystems and water resource use, especially in regions with limited hydrological information. This study presents, for the first time, a three-dimensional numerical investigation of channel processes in the Talas River (Kazakhstan), employing the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method for free-surface flow simulation and a non-Newtonian model for sediment transport and riverbed morphodynamics. To verify the developed mathematical model, experimental data on the flow in the L-shaped channel and Earthfill dam break were used, which provided high reliability of the calculated results. The calculations showed a significant increase in the channel area in the studied section of the Talas River (from 41,334.92 m2 to 56,890.17 m2) for the period from 2019 to 2024, mainly due to the intensification of the dynamics of currents and the formation of additional vortex zones with a diameter of 50 to 200 m. It was found that in places of local flow acceleration, water velocity increased up to 4.5 m/s, leading to bank erosion and channel widening, whereas after redistribution of channel flows, the maximum velocity decreased to 2.8 m/s, ensuring stabilisation of morphological changes. The results of the study underline the need for an integrated approach to river morphodynamics management using numerical modelling to predict channel changes, minimise flood risks and optimise the use of water resources. The presented computational approach can be adapted to analyse hydrodynamic processes in other poorly studied river systems, which significantly expands its scientific and practical value.