Legal Definitions - alluvium

ALLUVIUM

Alluvium refers to an accumulation of soil, clay, or other materials that are deposited by water. This can happen when water flows against a shore or riverbank, causing the buildup of materials. In land law, alluvium can also refer to the added land that belongs to the owner of the property to which it is added.

For example, when a river floods and deposits sediment on the surrounding land, this sediment is considered alluvium. Over time, this accumulation of sediment can create new land, which would belong to the owner of the property adjacent to the river.

In Louisiana, alluvium specifically refers to the accumulation of soil, clay, or other materials on the bank of a river. However, lands formed on a seashore or the bank of a navigable lake are not considered alluvion and belong to the state rather than the riparian owners.

• After heavy rainfall, the river deposited a layer of alluvium on the nearby farmland.
• The construction of a dam can prevent the natural accumulation of alluvium downstream.
• When a river changes course, the alluvium that was once deposited on one bank may now be deposited on the other.

These examples illustrate how alluvium is formed through the natural process of water depositing sediment on land. They also show how alluvium can impact land ownership and use in certain legal contexts.