Stream capture, river capture, or stream piracy is a geomorphological phenomenon occurring

when a stream or river drainage system or watershed is diverted from its own bed, and flows
instead down the bed of a neighbouring stream. This can happen for several reasons,
including:
Tectonic earth movements, where the slope of the land changes, and the stream is
tipped out of its former course
Natural damming, such as by a landslide or ice sheet
Erosion, either

Headward erosion of one stream valley upwards into another, or

Lateral erosion of a meander through the higher ground dividing the adjacent
streams.

Within an area of karst topography, where streams may sink, or flow underground
(a sinking or losing stream) and then reappear in a nearby stream valley

The additional water flowing down the capturing stream may accelerate erosion and
encourage the development of a canyon