The lengthening of a stream valley upslope as erosion at its uppermost point cuts back into previously unchannelled terrain, extending the drainage network over time. It is a principal mechanism of river piracy, by which one stream's headward growth can intercept and divert the flow of a neighboring drainage basin.
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Timescale (category) Process Type Connections
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Source Knickpoint Retreat (Wikipedia)
Source River Capture (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Headward erosion (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia infobox 'Lead section' = 'Headward erosion is erosion at the origin of a stream channel, whic...' on 'Headward erosion'View the Source 2. Headward erosion, Wikipedia
Lead section, third sentenceQuote, Lead section, third sentence
Headward erosion is a fluvial process of erosion that lengthens a stream, a valley or a gully at its head and also enlarges its drainage basin.
Knickpoint Retreat (Wikipedia)
River Capture (Wikipedia)
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