Sediment transport and deposition

Sediment transport and deposition (sedimentation) occurs from natural and anthropogenic sources in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Substantial changes in sediment transport (such as a major increase or decrease in sediment supply) can impact aquatic ecosystems that depend on a particular sediment quantity and particle size, for example, through altering stream-channel geomorphology or fish habitat. For human communities that rely on surface water resources, sedimentation can impact water supply and quality. Sedimentation in reservoirs affects water supply by reducing the reservoir volume available to store water. Sediment, as well as the nutrients and chemicals adsorbed in sediment, can serve as pollutants that decrease water quality and make water treatment necessary and costly.