Lighter sediment is suspended (carried) within the water, most commonly near the mouth of the river.

Find out more about how rivers transport material.

Formation of a waterfall

Find out more about the landforms of erosion in the upper course of a river.

Lateral erosion erodes the banks of the river. This is more common in the middle and lower courses of a river.

Find out more about river erosion.

Where the river flows into a sea or ocean it’s velocity is reduced leading to deposition. 

Find out more about river deposition.

Vertical erosion involves the wearing away and deepening of the river bed. This is mostly by hydraulic action. It is most common in the upper course of the river.

Find out more about river erosion.