Fluvial erosion is the detachment of material of the river bed and the sides.

Erosion starts when the flow energy of the water exceeds the resistance of the material of the river bed and banks. Flow energy depends on depth of water and gradient and thus of stream velocity. The point in time when material is set in motion is regarded as critical state. The corresponding stress is termed ‘critical shear stress’ [11]. This varies for different particles. Hjulström already recognised 1935 the relation between flow velocity and particle size of the eroded, i.e. the moved material. 

Fluvial erosion proceeds in two ways:

• vertical erosion: a river erodes its river bed, i.e. it is deepen.
• lateral erosion: a river erodes its bank; i.e. the river broadens (see figure). This results often in serious problems such as loss of agricultural lands [12]. A dense vegetation at the river bank may prevent bank erosion [13].

The eroded material is transported by the river.