Sediment Transfer through the Fluvial System (Proceedings of a symposium held in Moscow, August 2004). IAHS Publ. 288, 2004, 291–299

1 Department of Geography, University of Exeter, Devon EX4 4RJ, UK

2 Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK

Abstract The in-channel storage of fine sediment is an important, yet relatively poorly understood, component of sediment transfer through river systems. Previous research has shown it to be a significant factor in controlling the suspended sediment flux through aquatic systems. Additionally, it may also be of significance in the degradation of aquatic ecosystems. This paper presents the results of a comparative investigation of in-channel fine sediment storage and deposition rates for four contrasting rivers in southwest England over a period of 27 months. The results obtained demonstrate significant spatial and temporal variations in the amounts of fine sediment deposited and remobilized from the beds of the study rivers and indicate that the potential role of in-channel fine sediment storage in regulating the suspended sediment flux varies significantly between the study rivers.

Keywords fine sediment; in-channel sediment storage; sediment deposition; suspended sediment loads