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For the card shuffle technique known as "riffle", see Shuffling.
For the MIT Anonymity network, see Riffle (Anonymity network).
Riffle on the Onega River

A riffle is a shallow section of a stream or river with rapid current and a surface broken by gravel, rubble or boulders.[1]

Riffles are instrumental in the formation of meanders, with deeper pools forming alternately. Although simple fluid flow suggests slower flow in deeper water and faster flow over riffles, the true flow pattern pool and riffle waters is often helicoidal flow or turbulent, which permits more rapid erosion of the wetted perimeter. Nevertheless, the coarse-grained bedding of riffles suggests erosion of smaller particles, according to the Hjulström curve. Riffles are typically found in the middle course of rivers, and are theoretically found at intervals around 6 times the width of the river, although local conditions cause this to vary.


In the fishkeeping world, a "riffle tank" is one specializing in aquatic life that originates in places with powerful currents like riffles. These are usually emulated with very powerful pumps.[2]

Gold mining[edit]

The term is also applied to strips of wood, metal or plastic laid across the washing tables during gravity separation of gold in alluvial or placer mining.

Sluice riffle made of HDPE covered in black sand and gold.

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Lambert, S.M. "TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH REVEGETATION" (PDF).  line feed character in |title= at position 28 (help)
  2. ^ Setting up a Riffle Tank, by Cliff Zoller