Running water is a powerful agent of denudation, which is the process of wearing away or eroding the Earth's surface. When it rains heavily, the water flows over the land and gathers into streams and rivers, which carry the water and the sediments it picks up along the way downstream. This process is called erosion.
As the water flows, it picks up and carries with it a variety of materials, including soil, rocks, twigs, and sand. This material is then transported downstream, where it can be deposited along the riverbanks and in the riverbed. When the water slows down or changes direction, it loses its ability to carry this material, causing it to be deposited. This process is called deposition.
The repeated cycle of erosion and deposition can cause significant changes to the landscape over time. The force of the running water can carve out new channels, form canyons and gorges, and reshape the land. The deposition of sediment can create new landforms, such as river deltas and floodplains.
In summary, running water acts as an agent of denudation by eroding and transporting sediment downstream, and depositing it along the way. This process can cause significant changes to the landscape over time.