Flood recurrence and aggradation of floodplains of south-central Québec basins (Canada)
Many studies have been conducted on the geomorphology and sedimentology of river terraces. In particular, studies have been carried out on the morpho-sedimentological evolution of floodplains and the hydro-climatic conditions associated with these environments, as well as on the relationships between variations in the hydrological system, the frequency and scope of flooding, and the sedimentological and stratigraphic sequences. This article presents an analysis concerning the fluvial dynamics responsible for the aggradation rates and pedogenesis processes observed in floodplains, and also considers the historical and chronological reconstruction of flood events. The study area covers the basins and sub-basins of the south-central part of the St. Lawrence River area (Saint-François, Massawippi, Magog and Eaton rivers) affected by periodic floods. The sedimentation rates estimated from radiocarbon-14 dating and from alluvial deposits range from 0.15 to 0.76 cm y‐1 depending on the study sites. The analysis of floodplains reveals important sedimentation rates connected to the frequency of floods that characterizes this hydrographic basin. The soil profiles were classified among the regosolic and brunisolic orders. For textural and sedimentological characteristics, the soils present relatively homogeneous facies and weak textural variability. They are essentially fine matrices dominated with an important proportion of silt or silty sand. The analysis of soil profiles reveals a weak pedogenesis development (e.g. weak horizonation, absence of organo-mineral (Ah) and illuvial horizons (B), weak weathering). The accumulation of sediments which causes substantial increases in floodplains levels and also the characteristics of soil profiles suggest that the frequency of floods is increasing since the beginning of the century and more particularly during recent decades.