A river channel in which bars and islands have been deposited, differing from anastomosis since the islands are less permanent. Braiding occurs with frequent variations in discharge: when the river cannot carry its load; where the river is wide and shallow; where banks are easily eroded; and where there is a copious bed load. Richardson and Thorne (2001) Geomorph. 38, 3–4 show that the division of the flow into multiple threads is a prerequisite for bifurcation. Fotherby (Geomorph. 103, 4) argues for valley containment as a causal factor of braided channels. Egozi and Ashmore (2008) ESPL 33, 14 commend channel count as a consistent measurement of the complexity of a braided pattern. See Bledoe and Watson (2001) Geomorph. 38, 3–4 for an excellent summary.