What is the legal term for the process when land is formed by water receding from a river?

The legal term that accurately describes the process by which land is formed as water recedes from a river is known as dereliction. This process occurs when a body of water, such as a river or lake, gradually recedes over time, leaving dry land that was previously submerged. The land that becomes exposed as a result of this receding water is legally viewed as the property of the landowner whose property adjoins the water.

While the terms accretion and alluvion may also relate to land changes caused by water, they refer to different processes. Accretion involves the gradual buildup of land along a shoreline due to the deposit of sediment by flowing water, thus increasing the land area. Alluvion refers specifically to the material deposited by water, such as the silt and soil which can add to a property through the process of accretion.

Appropriation does not pertain to land formation but rather relates to the legal right to take water from a water source for beneficial use, which is an entirely different concept in land and water rights. Understanding these definitions is crucial in distinguishing between them and accurately identifying the process of land formation caused by receding water.