Dendritic, i.e., tree-like, river networks are ubiquitous features on Earth’s landscapes; however, how and why river networks organize themselves into this form are incompletely understood. A branching pattern has been argued to be an optimal state. Therefore, we should expect models of river evolution to drastically reorganize (suboptimal) purely nondendritic networks into (more optimal) dendritic networks. To date, current physically based models of river basin evolution are incapable of achieving this result without substantial allogenic forcing. Here, we present a model that does indeed accomplish massive drainage reorganization. The key feature in our model is basin-wide lateral incision of bedrock channels. The addition of this submodel allows for channels to laterally migrate, which generates river capture events and drainage migration. An important factor in the model that dictates the rate and frequency of drainage network reorganization is the ratio of two parameters, the lateral and vertical rock erodibility constants. In addition, our model is unique from others because its simulations approach a dynamic steady state. At a dynamic steady state, drainage networks persistently reorganize instead of approaching a stable configuration. Our model results suggest that lateral bedrock incision processes can drive major drainage reorganization and explain apparent long-lived transience in landscapes on Earth.

树枝状（即树状）河流网络是地球景观中普遍存在的特征。然而，河流网络如何以及为何组织成这种形式尚不完全清楚。分支模式被认为是最佳状态。因此，我们应该期望河流演化模型能够将（次优的）纯非树突网络彻底重组为（更优化的）树突网络。迄今为止，如果没有大量的同种异体强迫，当前基于物理的流域演化模型就无法实现这一结果。在这里，我们提出了一个确实完成大规模排水重组的模型。我们模型的关键特征是基岩河道的盆地范围的横向切口。添加该子模型允许河道横向迁移，从而产生河流捕获事件和排水迁移。模型中决定排水网络重组速率和频率的一个重要因素是两个参数（横向和纵向岩石可蚀性常数）的比率。此外，我们的模型与其他模型不同，因为它的模拟接近动态稳态。在动态稳定状态下，排水网络持续重组，而不是接近稳定配置。我们的模型结果表明，横向基岩切割过程可以驱动主要的排水重组，并解释地球上景观中明显的长期短暂性。