University of Illinois Extension

River Basics

With water flowing faster and no trees along the banks, a lot of erosion will take place. After the water moves past the straightened part of the channel, it will slow down. Much of the soil and rock that was eroded in the straightened section will settle at the bottom of the stream, creating a shallow channel. If the water is flowing into a pond or a lake, these will fill up very quickly with sediment. Can you see this happening?