Transportation Processes

A river transports materials known as its load. There are four processes by which a river transports these materials along its course. These are;

1. Suspension
2. Saltation
3. Solution
4. Traction

1. Suspension:

Suspension is the process where light materials such as clay, silt, and fine soil particles are carried along by the river water without touching the river bed. These materials are suspended or held up in the water, making it look muddy or cloudy .

Suspension mostly occurs in the lower course of a river, especially near the mouth, where the river is wider and deeper, and the