A new approach to the calculation of the greatest debit of suspended mud flood load considering influence of main natural factors (by the sample of rivers of Minor Caucauses)

The work is devoted to the methodology for calculating the highest flow rates of suspended sediment mudflows of the rivers of the Minor Caucasus. The research materials were the data from stationary observations of the highest suspended sediment load presented by the Department of Hydrometeorology under the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan until 2000 and data from expeditionary operations until 2016. For extension of the series of the highest suspended sediment load rates, the relationships Qmax. = f (Rvax.) from 2000 to 2015. The parameters of physical and geographic factors influencing the high flow rates of suspended sediments are analyzed separately and in a complex. As main natural factors that determine the volume of mudflow sediment load, the values of the highest water discharge, the coefficient of natural regulation of river flow and forest cover of the catchment area were taken. The study resulted in the methodology for calculating the largest flow rate of suspended sediment. It mostly reflects conditions for the formation of mudflows and has a calculation error of ± 25%. Recommended formulas can be used to study and describe parameters of mudflows of unexplored rivers of the Minor Caucasus.