Erosion by Streams - I

As water moves over the land, it carries away soil, sand, and rocks in a process called erosion.

If water from rain or melting snow doesn’t soak into the ground, it flows over the surface as runoff, picking up loose particles and carrying them away, causing erosion.

Vegetation plays a significant role in reducing erosion. Plant roots hold the soil in place, so areas with lots of plants lose less soil.

But in places with little vegetation, like bare land, runoff can quickly wash away large amounts of soil, creating small channels or even deep gullies. Much of this eroded material ends up in streams, rivers, or oceans.

When a stream flows, it erodes its banks, picking up and transporting sediment. Over time, this erosion can carve out a V-shaped valley.

A stream’s power of erosion depends on its velocity. Fast-moving water has more energy and can carry more sediment. On the other hand, slower water drops heavier particles first, carrying only smaller ones. As the water slows even more, these smaller particles are deposited.