Vertical profile through a river or stream, showing the three main processes of sediment transport. The largest, heaviest grains (gravel) move along the river by rolling and sliding. Intermediate size and weight grains (sand) move by saltation (jumping). The sediments that are transported by saltation and rolling/sliding are collectively termed bedload. Suspended load consists of the finer-grained particles (mud) that remain in suspension during downstream transport. Friction between the river column and the river bed results in reduction of velocity near that interface. River-flow velocities are faster in the upper parts of the column.
Source of figure is unknown.
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