Objectives of river training works

River training works serve five main objectives.

1. Flood protection: confine the river within a fixed channel and prevent it from spilling over the banks and flooding adjacent land and settlements.
2. Bank protection and prevention of avulsion: stop erosion of the banks and prevent the river from shifting its course or outflanking bridges, barrages, towns and roads.
3. Axial approach to structures: guide the flow centrally and smoothly to the opening of a bridge, barrage or headwork, avoiding eddies and cross-currents.
4. Control of silt and sediment: induce silting where land is to be reclaimed and prevent deposits or scour holes at critical locations (such as in front of a canal head regulator).
5. Maintenance of a stable channel for use: keep a definite, stable channel and depth for navigation, water supply or irrigation intake and protect the river against excessive meandering.

Common works used are guide bunds, spurs, marginal embankments, revetments and cut-offs, chosen to suit the river and its objectives.