On the Transport of Sediments by Streams

1. The power possessed by water and air in motion of lifting and carrying solids considerably denser than themselves is familiar to all; but it does not seem to have been pointed out that classical hydrodynamics provides a simple explanation. If a solid rests on the bottom of a stream, the points of contact are points of zero velocity; and the velocity just above the solid, by the equation of continuity, must be greater than the general velocity. Hence the velocities produce high pressures under the solid and low ones above it, and the difference tends to lift the solid up. If the resulting thrust exceeds the weight of the solid in the liquid, the solid will be raised, and will be unable to rest in equilibrium on the floor of the stream.