Multi-Temporal GIS Analysis of River Channel Migration Near a Pipeline Crossing: The Kura River, Azerbaijan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52340/ggj.2026.06.01.05Keywords:
multi-temporal GIS, river corridor evolution, channel migration, alluvial island development, fluvial morphodynamics, spatial exposure indicators, geomorphic exposure screening, Kura River, AzerbaijanAbstract
River crossings of linear infrastructure are often interpreted as fixed engineering locations, although the surrounding channel may undergo significant spatial reconfiguration over time. This study presents a multi-temporal GIS-based analysis of river channel migration near a pipeline crossing on the Kura River, Azerbaijan. The research focuses on the spatial interaction between channel migration, island development, flow redistribution, and the changing geomorphic context of the crossing corridor. Watercourse and exposed in-channel ground polygons were delineated from satellite imagery for 2001, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013 within a fixed geomorphic area of interest. A separate localized pipeline area of interest was used to assess spatial exposure indicators near the crossing corridor. Temporal overlay, area comparison, island fragmentation assessment, and proximity-based GIS interpretation were applied to evaluate morphodynamic change. The results indicate substantial reconfiguration of the active river corridor. The watercourse area increased from 16.41 ha in 2001 to 48.17 ha in 2010 and then decreased to 27.05 ha in 2013, while the exposed in-channel ground increased from 3.16 ha to 30.76 ha during the study period. The island fraction increased from 0.16 to 0.53, indicating a growing dominance of exposed alluvial surfaces within the mapped corridor. Pipeline-related spatial indicators also changed markedly, with the total pipeline length located within the 50 m near-bank zone increasing from 410 m in 2001 to 821 m in 2013. These changes show that the crossing should be considered part of a dynamic river interaction corridor rather than a static point. The proposed approach provides a reproducible GIS framework for spatial screening of riverine infrastructure exposure and for identifying crossing zones that may require field verification or closer monitoring. The findings represent GIS-based spatial indicators and should not be interpreted as direct measurements of pipeline exposure depth, scour, damage, or structural integrity.
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