What is the term for the process where particles from the riverbed are lifted away by flowing water?

The process where particles from the riverbed are lifted away by flowing water is known as suspension. In this context, suspension refers to the ability of moving water to carry small particles, such as silt and clay, within the flow. These particles do not settle immediately and are kept in the water column due to the turbulence and energy of the flowing water. As a result, suspension contributes significantly to the overall sediment transport in a river, allowing these materials to be carried downstream over varying distances. This process is essential in shaping river landscapes, as it affects sediment load and the physical characteristics of the river environment.

Hydraulic action involves the physical force of water hitting the riverbank and bed, leading to erosion but does not specifically refer to the lifting of particles into suspension. Erosion is a broader term that encompasses various processes, including hydraulic action, and refers to the wearing away of land or rock. Deposition is the opposite of suspension; it is when transported materials settle out of the water and accumulate, typically in a slower-moving section of the river or at its mouth.