What causes a riparian or littoral owner to lose title to land?

A riparian or littoral owner can lose title to land due to erosion. Erosion refers to the gradual wearing away of land, especially along shorelines and riverbanks, leading to a reduction in the area owned. When natural forces like water flow or wave action cause the soil to erode, the land that is lost may no longer be considered part of the property, which can result in a loss of title to that portion of land.

In contrast, accretion, avulsion, and reliction represent different processes that affect land ownership. Accretion occurs when new land is formed from sediment deposition, potentially increasing a property’s area. Avulsion involves sudden changes, such as a river changing its course, but it does not typically result in a loss of title. Reliction refers to the gradual receding of water, which can reveal previously submerged land and can actually lead to an increase in property as new land becomes available to the owner.