Sediment Movement in Alluvial Rivers

Abstract

Sediment is transported by river flow in the forms of suspended load and bed load. The fluvial process is a result of sediment deposition and erosion. Flood, avulsion and sediment transportation and deposition are the natural processes in alluvial rivers and water diversion, channelization, and navigation are human disturbances to rivers. The fluvial process is the macroscopic view and long-term consequence of sediment movement. This chapter introduces the basic knowledge of sediment movement and fluvial processes, paying attention to the fall velocity of sediment particles, flow resistance, bed forms, and the rate of sediment transportation, hyperconcentrated floods, river patterns, and unsteady sediment transportation. This knowledge is useful for alluvial river management.