River Processes and Landforms

Hydraulic Action

The force of water itself that splashes against river banks, forcing its way into cracks and openings, loosening material along the bed and banks, and carrying it away.

Attrition

The process by which rocks and stones being carried by the river collide with each other, becoming smaller, smoother, and rounded over time.

Abrasion or Corrasion

The process in which the river grinds its load against its bed and banks, loosening material that is then carried downstream.

Solution or Corrosion

The process in which certain minerals in rocks and soils are dissolved by the river water as they come into contact with it, such as salt and calcium carbonate.

Laminar Flow

Water flow in a stream that is not altered in its direction, flowing as parallel molecular streams.

Turbulent Flow

Water flow in a stream that consists of discrete eddies and vortices caused by friction and channel topology.

Helical Flow

Spiral flow in a river caused by meandering channels, resulting in a unique flow pattern.

Transportation

The ways in which a river carries material, also known as its load. This can include solution, suspension, saltation, and traction.

Solution

The transportation of materials that are dissolved in the water and carried downstream.

Suspension

The transportation of tiny particles, such as slit, that are suspended in the water as the river flows.

Saltation

The transportation of particles, such as small stones, that are bounced along the riverbed as they move downstream.

Traction

The transportation of the heaviest material in the river's load, such as large rocks, that are rolled along the riverbed.