This study concerns the failure model of sediment layer and the criterion of occurrence of debris flow produced from a failured sediment layer in a channel bed. First, a failure model for an infinitely long, uniform depth of sediment layer is developed basing on the parameters; such as seepage direction of interstitial fluid, cohesive strength of sediments, the ratio of interstitial fluid thickness to sediment layer thickness (m) and the ratio of surface water flow depth to sediment layer thickness (n). Second, the critical channel slope for the occurrence of debris flow transformed frim a failured sediment layer is determined basing on the concept of minimum concentration of solid particle in debris flow. The result of the formulation of failure model and its transformation into debris flow is shown to be in excellent agreement with the experimental data obtained by previous investigators.