How does a riparian or littoral owner gain title to land?

A riparian or littoral owner gains title to land primarily through the process of accretion. Accretion refers to the gradual accumulation of land due to the deposition of sediment by water. Over time, as sediment is deposited along the banks of a river, lake, or other body of water, the land area increases, and the riparian or littoral owner can claim ownership of this newly formed land. This process is legally recognized as a method of land expansion and title acquisition.

In contrast, avulsion involves the sudden and rapid change in land due to events like flooding or land shifts, which can alter property lines, but does not grant title to land gained. Erosion results in the loss of land rather than the gain of it. Water level rise, typically associated with global changes or tidal effects, affects existing land but does not create new land that can be claimed. Understanding these concepts is crucial for determining land ownership rights along water bodies.