In recent years, interest in the occurrence of heavy metals in the natural environment has been still observed. Heavy metal contamination can lead to serious environmental problems. The aim of the study was to estimate the total content of heavy metals: Ni, Cu and Co, in the surface layer of the bottom sediments of Sokołda river and its tributaries, and to determine the relationship between the grain size and scope of their metal content. Determination of metals in bottom sediment samples was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry (ASA). Research on the Sokołda river and its tributaries has shown low levels of Ni, Cu and Co. It was proved that the majority of studied metals was contained in the smallest clay fraction <0.02 mm. On the other hand, the least studied metals were accumulated in 1.0-0.2 mm and 0.2-0.1 mm fractions. Fractions 1.0-0.2 mm and 0.2-0.1 mm carry around 80% of the tested metal forms, while fractions 0.02-0.063 mm and <0.02 mm a few percent. This speaks for the determination of metals in the 1.0-0.1 mm fraction, that contains both coarser and clay fractions, and thus most reliably reflects the actual load of pollutants carried by the sediment. Studies have shown that the main sources of pollution in Sokołda river catchment are primarily surface runoff, and to a lesser extent, wastewater (municipal and industrial).