Abstract
The article presents the application of bank protection structures for regulating channel processes in the lower reaches of the Shu River under conditions of high hydrological variability. The analysis is based on long-term hydrological observations conducted at the Tashutkul (Tasotkel) hydrological station over the period 1967–2022. A statistical assessment of annual maximum and mean discharges, including measures of variability, skewness, and exceedance probability, revealed the occurrence of rare but extreme flood events that significantly influence channel deformation and bank erosion in reaches composed of sandy–gravel alluvial deposits. A probabilistic hydrological analysis was applied to justify the design hydraulic loads acting on river training structures. Based on the identified hydrological and morphological risks, an improved prefabricated modular floating bank protection spur was developed for river engineering and channel regulation. The proposed structure provides adjustable permeability, promotes flow energy dissipation, and reduces local scour intensity under different flow conditions. The obtained results may be applied in the design and operation of adaptive bank protection structures for the lower reaches of the Shu River and other rivers characterized by pronounced channel instability and hydrological variability.