Abstract: In this laboratory flume experiment, an acoustic Doppler flow meter ADV is used to measure flow velocity in a generalized channel that is affected by a sediment deposit body, and the measured data along with a formula for calculation of dimensionless turbulent intensity are used to analyze the influence of flow rate, river narrowing rate, and deposit lateral slope on the distribution of near-bed turbulent intensity. Results show that under the effect of narrowing and sudden expansion of the flow around the deposit body, a hydraulic jump occurs in a downstream section of relative distance 0.0-1.5 (ratio of distance over channel width) from the centerplane of the deposit, characterized by large fluctuations in turbulent intensity and a region of strong turbulences that are strengthened by the deposit blocking effect. In relative distance of 1.5-4.5, further expansion of the flow reduces turbulent intensity at a rate that increases with the blocking effect. And this reduction takes a lower rate near the left wall than that near the right wall due to the affect of a wake zone at the right side. In relative distance of 4.5-6.5, the mean flow is gradually recover to a steady state but with its turbulent level higher than that of the inflow in the relative distance of -4.5-0.0. This experiment reveals the inherent mechanism of turbulences developing in rivers and the influence of the deposit, shedding light on the flow and sediment transport around a deposit body and the related scour and sedimentation process and bed evolution. It also provides measured data for verification of the numerical simulations of turbulent characteristics of the flows in mountain rivers.