The first direct observation of the development of lateral gravel berm
s associated with hydraulic jumps in bedrock channels is reported. Cob
bles and pebbles were observed being swept through jumps and deposited
in the tranquil flow immediately downstream and either side of the V-
shaped shock-waves. Field measurements of jump geometry, current speed
and water depth are found to be consistent both with laboratory data
and theoretical considerations. The deposits have significance in cons
training flood palaeoflow reconstructions as the presence of berms det
ermines the former location of hydraulic jumps whilst the angle subten
ded by the berm crestline (with respect to a regular bankline) may be
used to estimate the Froude number of the flow.