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Large bed forms, such as dunes or sand waves, can pose a navigation hazard for inlet channels (Pope 2000). Understanding the conditions causing their formation can be an aid in navigation channel management. This Coastal and Hydraulics Engineer Technical Note (CHETN) is concerned with large bed forms that chronically or periodically encroach on the authorized navigation depth. Smaller bed forms have been observed in many (perhaps most) other inlets, but because they do not hinder navigation, they are not discussed in this CHETN. Navigation channels with reported sand waves include the Columbia River, WA/OR; East Pass, Panama City, Fort Pierce, and St. Mary's Entrance, FL; Merrimack River, MA, and Kennebec River, ME. This technical note discusses the characteristics of the bed forms found in those areas and conditions responsible for their development.