PrintGeomorphological
Definition
A stream channel is an area of rapid conveyance of sediment and dissolved constituents during periods of flow. However, not all sediment can be transported during all flows, and this provides a mechanism and particular pattern of sediment sorting that is a hallmark of stream channels not found in terrestrial systems.
Figure 18. Example of sediment sorting in a river channel (the sand deposit and gravel bar) contrasted to unsorted sediment on the hillslope.
Photo credits: Top Panel: Image used with permission via Creative Commons: "I, Paebi CC-BY-SA-2.5, via Wikimedia Commons". Bottom Panel: Brian Laub