What is the term for land increase along a river or stream?

Accretion refers to the gradual process whereby land is added to the banks of a river or stream through the accumulation of sediment. This natural process occurs as water flows and deposits material, increasing the land area over time. Accretion is significant in real estate as it can affect property boundaries and ownership, considering that land gain along a waterway typically extends a property owner's domain.

Understanding accretion is important for real estate professionals, as it can influence land value, land use, and disputes over property lines. In contrast, littoral rights pertain to properties adjacent to large bodies of water and involve the right to use the water, while avulsion describes the sudden loss or gain of land due to events like flooding or landslides. Reliction involves the permanent withdrawal of water, which can also alter property boundaries but in a different context than the gradual deposition associated with accretion.