Scour immediately downstream of a headcut is analyzed by considering the effect of jet diffusion on sediment detachment. The analytical development results in equations for:

1. the equilibrium scour depth;

2. the rate of scour hole development.

These equations are applicable for a variety of jet configurations and any bed material including cohesive soils. The equations are tested in laboratory simulated headcuts on bed materials consisting of two noncohesive uniform sands and one cohesive natural soil. The agreement between measured and predicted rates of scour depth increase shows that scour does not increase as a semi-logarithmic function of time. The rate of scour depth increase is very rapid for depths less than 95% of the equilibrium scour depth. Graphical solutions for the rate of scour depth increase are in agreement with the experimental measurements.