Flooding in a sediment-laden floodplain is affected by riverine beach vegetation and the shape of a meandering compound channel. The laws of water and sediment exchange and the deposition distribution in beach troughs are very complex. These factors play a significant role in the formation and development of secondary suspended rivers, in the adjustment of the beach horizontal gradient, and even in the evolution of the flood control situation. In this study, we used a combination of experimental simulation and theoretical research to carry out a generalized model test of floodplain flooding evolution, analyzed the lateral distribution characteristics of sediment-laden flow and sediment factors in a meandering compound channel under the conditions of beach vegetation, and revealed the pros and cons of beach vegetation on the adjustment of the beach and channel siltation. The model test results of the flooding in the floodplain in the compound channel with meandering vegetation showed that the main stream was not only concentrated in the main channel but also appeared near the foot of the left and right bank levees and formed flood discharges along the embankment. As the riverine beach siltation was mainly concentrated at the riverine beach lip, the vegetation on the riverine beach had a significant effect on slowing down the flow velocity. Whether it was a row or full vegetation on both sides of the bank, this played an important role in the stability of the main channel. When there was no vegetation on the riverine beach, the main channel was easy to move. The arrangement of full vegetation on the riverine beach had a uniform effect on the velocity distribution of the riverine beach, which reduced the phenomenon of excessive velocity at the foot of the riverine beach and increased the velocity effect in the main channel. These results will provide a theoretical basis for the utilization of riverine beach areas and river management in the lower Yellow River and have a great significance for enriching the basic theory of water and sediment movement and promoting the integration of hydraulics, river dynamics, and ecology.

The sediment-laden floodplain flood is affected by beach vegetation and the shape of curved compound channels. The laws of water and sediment exchange and deposition distribution in beach troughs are very complex and play a significant role in the formation and development of secondary suspended rivers, the adjustment of beach horizontal gradients, and even the evolution of flood control situations. This study used a combination of experimental simulations and theoretical research to carry out a generalized model test of floodplain flood evolution, analyzing the transverse distribution characteristics of sediment-laden flow and sediment factors in a curved compound channel under the conditions of beach vegetation, proposing a theoretical model of transverse distribution of velocity and sediment concentration that is based on the momentum equation considering the inertial force of the lateral secondary flow and river curvature. The results showed the following: (1) The model test results for floodplain flood in the compound channel with curved vegetation showed that the main stream was not only concentrated in the main channel but also appeared near the foot of the left and right bank levees and formed flood discharge along the embankment, as the beach siltation was mainly concentrated in the beach lip; (2) The arrangement of full vegetation on the beach had a uniform effect on the velocity distribution of the beach, which can reduce the phenomenon of excessive velocity at the foot of the beach and increase the velocity effect in the main channel; and (3) Through five numerical examples, the lateral velocity distribution model of a curved compound channel with beach vegetation was tested and, in general, the analysis model was consistent with the experimental results. The research results will provide a theoretical basis for river management and have great significance for enriching the basic theory of water and sediment movement and promoting the integration of hydraulics, river dynamics, and ecology.