This paper, as its name suggests, presents a study of the various measures adopted from time to time to control sediment load in canals and distributaries. There is pleanty of literature about the theories of sediment transportation, design of channels etc. From the practical point of view, however, they are not sufficient. In this paper, the problem of the control of semident in canals and distributaries, as it is known today, has been examined. The significance and implications of the various factors involved have been emphasised; controversial issues have been discussed; and efforts have been made to stress the practical systems of control, so as to choose in the first place one which is fundamentally well suited for the purpose; and having chosen it, have a sufficient knowledge of it's charecter, its possibilities and its limitations to enable the work up of the main lines of design with economy and imagination. This kind of approach - broad and general, but factual - seems to the author to be most useful to the Canal Engineer