In the beginning, the classification of rivers based on the pattern of channel was generally divided into braided rivers, meandering rivers, and straight rivers*1). In general, these types of rivers are arranged in this order, from upstream to downstream. Later, anastomosing rivers, which are similar to braided rivers but have different properties, were recognized, and rivers were classified into four categories. However, rather than treating the four types in parallel, it seems better to think of the Anastomosing rivers as one dimensionally higher, as proposed by Makaske (2001). In other words, the anastomosing river is a river with multiple channels, and the river channels that make up it can be either braided, meandering, or straight. Of course, there are overwhelmingly many anastomosing rivers formed by straight rivers in the lower reaches, and those consisting of braided rivers in the upper reaches and meandering rivers in the middle reaches are rare, but they are not absent.
From the above, the difference between braided and anastomosing rivers is clear: A braided river is a river in which the low-water channels in the river channel are braided, and the rises between the low-water channels are sand and gravel bars that are submerged and deformed or disappear during floods, and are usually bare land. On the other hand, the anastomosing river is a river in which the river channel itself branches and converges to form a net, and the rise between the river channels is a river island with the same characteristics as the floodplain that is composed of natural levees and a hinter-wetland (backmarsh), and is often covered with vegetation.
*1) Makaske, B.(2001): Anastomosing rivers: a review of their classification, origin and sedimentary products.
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