Seek a steady downslope solution with constant. The volume conservation equation reduces to , so the constant-speed entraining gravity current on a slope has
The conserved buoyancy flux per unit width is , giving
Substitute these expressions into the momentum equation. Its advective term is and its hydrostatic term is . The balance is therefore
which gives
The assumed slope inequality makes . The increasing thickness dilutes reduced gravity while leaving and the buoyancy flux constant. The denominator includes both bottom drag and the momentum needed to accelerate newly entrained ambient fluid.
For slowly depositing particles, and local adjustment gives with the constant-speed entraining gravity current on a slope coefficient. At leading order and . Its validity requires settling slow compared with the current and, for small , compared with entrainment.