The sedimentary processes in river curves are difficult to reproduce in a model because of the distinctly 3‐D nature of the flow pattern. It is virtually impossible to build a model that can satisfy all criteria associated with the scaling of a 3‐D flow. Most sediment‐transport related models in use today are “1‐D model”, for which established scaling techniques are available. These models are built to provide similarity of the cross‐sectional average velocity and resistance coefficient; and they are “straight‐channel model”. This study shows how a set of 1‐D scaling criteria which can be expanded to allow for modeling of secondary currents and lateral variations in depth in river curves. This expansion is based upon theories which relate the strength of the centrifugally induced secondary velocity component to flow depth, channel planform curvature, and depth averaged mean velocity.