Morphological Evolution of the Shiwuli River and Its Synergistic Effects on Water Purification

River morphological changes significantly influence water purification functions; however, systematic research on the evolution of natural river morphology and its underlying mechanisms remains insufficient. This study investigates the Shiwuli River, a typical tributary of Chaohu Lake, by quantitatively analyzing its morphological evolution characteristics based on high-resolution satellite imagery from 2014 to 2024. Combined with field monitoring data from all four seasons of 2024, the study explores the influence mechanisms of river sinuosity, cascade flow, and wetlands on water purification. The results indicate significant morphological changes in the Shiwuli River: the total length decreased by 3.95 km, sinuosity decreased by 0.22, and the average width increased by 27.85 m. The comprehensive attenuation coefficient of pollutants in the monitored sections was consistently greater than zero, demonstrating the self-purification capacity of the natural meandering river, with the highest purification capacity observed in summer and the weakest in winter. Dissolved oxygen (DO) content was generally higher in concave banks than in convex banks, and the rate of increase in DO per unit length rose with increasing sinuosity. The cascade flow formed by rolling dams significantly enhanced DO concentration (by 19.23–26.25%), with average pollutant reduction rates ranging from 12.64% to 33.76%. The wetland sections exhibited average reduction rates of 79.07% for total phosphorus (TP), 39.33% for total nitrogen (TN), 47.43% for ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N), and 45.67% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), demonstrating significantly better purification effects compared to the main river channel. This study reveals that the synergistic interaction among river sinuosity, cascade flow, and wetland systems enhances the water body’s self-purification capacity, providing a scientific basis for river ecological restoration and sustainable utilization of water resources.