Transport of fines/wash load through channels – A review

A lot of wash load comes to the streams during the rainy season due to the erosion of soil form the catchment and known to flow practically without settling on the streambed. The presence of wash load is known to affect the resistance to the flow. The effect of its presence on transport of bed-material load is not well known. The present paper is devoted to a review of the studies regarding concept of wash load, changes in resistance to flow due to the presence of wash load, the effect of presence of fines in suspension on the transport of bed-material. The presence of excessive amount of fines in the stream bed adversely affect the spawning of salmon and other species of fish. So, the literature is also reviewed regarding deposition/infiltration of fine sediments within the pores of a coarse bed channel and the wash load carrying capacity of rigid and alluvial bed channels. The review brings out clearly the areas in which the research should be carried.