ABSTRACT : A linear stability analysis using the Vertically Averaged and Moment flow (VAM) equations and the modified Chézy formula is performed in order to investigate the characteristics of sand bars. VAM equations provide an additional component of the velocity, a vertically linear and zero mean distribution. Using the additional component of the velocity, a moment version of the Chézy formula for the bed shear stress is employed. The previous analysis us-ing the St. Venant shallow water flow equations was found to be unable to investigate sand bars with small aspect ratio (the ratio between channel width to water depth). Comparing with the results of the previous one, the present linear stability analysis shows the capability to investigate sand bars with aspect ratio as small as 6–7. The results of initial bar wavelengths from the linear analysis are found to be generally shorter than the fully-developed bar wavelength from experiments. This correspond well to experimental results that wavelength becomes larger during bar development.