Rivers have energy that allows them to erode, transport, and deposit material. The main types of erosion are corrosion/abrasion by the river's load, corrasion/solution from dissolving chemicals, hydraulic action from water force, and attrition from particles wearing against each other. Transportation occurs through saltation of particles bouncing along the bed, solution of dissolved materials, suspension of materials within the water, and traction of materials rolling along the bed. Deposition happens when the river loses energy and drops materials it was carrying, which is influenced by conditions in the environment.

1. River Processes