8.5. ALLUVIAL CHANNELS CARRYING SEDIMENT-LADEN WATER The cross-section of a stable alluvial channel would depend on the flow rate, sediment transport rate, and the sediment size. There are two methods commonly used for the design of alluvial channels carrying sediment-laden water. The first is based on the ‘regime’ approach in which a set of empirical equations is used. These equations have been obtained by analysing the data of stable field channels. A more logical method of design of stable alluvial channel should include the sediment load also.