Key Terms - Aggradation & Degradation

This image shows aggrading sediment in the channel center.

Aggradation

The process by which a Stream's gradient steepens due to increased Deposition of sediment

Degradation

The process by which a Stream's gradient becomes less steep, due to the Erosion of sediment from the Stream bed

Generally follows a sharp reduction in the amount of sediment entering the Stream

Image courtesy of NRCS IA