The present state‐of‐the‐art of modeling of flow of water and transport of sediment in alluvial channels is assessed. The characteristics of several presently available models are described, along with their similarities and differences. The general problems in present models are found to be in their choice of sediment transport function, assessment of resistance to flow and how it varies with changes in flow and cross section, modeling of bed armoring and its effect on sediment transport, the allocation of net scour and fill in a stream cross section, and the handling of upstream and downstream boundary conditions. Current work in these areas is described. The need for the inclusion of bank scour, stream migration, and meander development is discussed, along with present methods for approaching the assessment of their effects. Needed areas of research are outlined for the improvement of prediction of scour and fill in alluvial cha