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The term Bed load describes particles in a flowing fluid (usually a river) that are transported along the bed. This is in opposition to suspended load
Suspended load

Suspended load is the term for the fine particles that are light enough to be carried in a stream without touching the stream bed. These particles are generally of the fine sand, silt and clay size, although they can be larger, especially in cases of high Discharge , such as during floods....
 and wash load
Wash load

Wash load is the portion of sediment that is carried by a fluid flow, usually in a river, such that it always remains near the free surface ....
 which are carried entirely in suspension.

Bedload moves by a variety of methods, including rolling, sliding, traction
Traction

Traction may refer to:* Traction , static friction* Traction , the set of mechanisms for straightening broken bones or relieving pressure on the skeletal system...
, and saltation
Saltation

Saltation may refer to:* Saltation , an evolutionary hypothesis emphasizing sudden and drastic change* Saltation , a process of particle transport by fluids....
.

Generally, bed load downstream will be smaller and more rounded than bed load upstream (a process known as downstream fining).






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The term Bed load describes particles in a flowing fluid (usually a river) that are transported along the bed. This is in opposition to suspended load
Suspended load

Suspended load is the term for the fine particles that are light enough to be carried in a stream without touching the stream bed. These particles are generally of the fine sand, silt and clay size, although they can be larger, especially in cases of high Discharge , such as during floods....
 and wash load
Wash load

Wash load is the portion of sediment that is carried by a fluid flow, usually in a river, such that it always remains near the free surface ....
 which are carried entirely in suspension.

Bedload moves by a variety of methods, including rolling, sliding, traction
Traction

Traction may refer to:* Traction , static friction* Traction , the set of mechanisms for straightening broken bones or relieving pressure on the skeletal system...
, and saltation
Saltation

Saltation may refer to:* Saltation , an evolutionary hypothesis emphasizing sudden and drastic change* Saltation , a process of particle transport by fluids....
.

Generally, bed load downstream will be smaller and more rounded than bed load upstream (a process known as downstream fining). This is due in part to attrition
Attrition

Attrition may refer to:*Physical wear*Loss of personnel by retirement*Attrition , the loss of participants during an experiment*Attrition , the loss of tooth structure by mechanical forces from opposing teeth...
 and abrasion
Abrasion

In dermatology, an abrasion is a wound caused by superficial damage to the skin, no deeper than the Epidermis . It is less severe than a laceration, and bleeding, if present, is minimal....
 which cause the stones to bump against each other and against the river channel, thus removing its rough texture and making it smaller. However, selective transport of sediments also plays a role in relation to downstream fining: larger-than average particles are more easily entrained than small-than average particles, since larger particles are protruding from the bed whereas small particles are shielded/ hidden by larger particles thus requiring a higher lift and drag force to entrain.