The amount of sediment and debris a stream can carry also depends on its flow. The volume of stream flow is determined by many factors. Precipitation is generally the key factor. There is usually a lag period between the time a storm reaches it highest intensity and the time the stream reaches it peak flow. This lag time can be changed by land use practices in the watershed.
Vegetation can affect the lag time and volume of stream flow.
Channeling a stream and removing woody debris and other large object can increase the velocity of flow and significantly affect the character of the stream. The volume of stream flow may go from very high during a storm, to nothing during a dry period. It is very difficult for organisms living in the stream to deal with this much change in the conditions of their environment.