What is the term for the force of moving water that breaks fragments from the riverbed and banks?

The term that describes the force of moving water that breaks fragments from the riverbed and banks is hydraulic action. This process occurs when the kinetic energy of flowing water exerts pressure on the riverbanks and bed, leading to the detachment and transport of sediment and rock particles. Hydraulic action is a critical component of river erosion, as it contributes to the shaping of river channels and the alteration of landscapes over time.

Other terms like dissolved load and suspended load refer to different aspects of sediment transport in a river. The dissolved load consists of minerals and nutrients that are carried in solution, while the suspended load refers to particles that are carried within the water column but not in direct contact with the riverbed. Bed load describes the sediments that move along the riverbed itself, primarily through rolling, sliding, or bouncing, but it does not specifically account for the action of the water that breaks away those fragments. Thus, hydraulic action encapsulates the overall force exerted by moving water that causes erosion and breaks off materials from the banks and riverbed.