A wind gap is a geological feature defined as a gap through which a waterway once flowed but is now dry. This transition typically occurs as a result of stream capture, where the original drainage path is diverted by a different watercourse.
While distinct from a water gap—where a waterway continues to flow through a mountain pass—wind gaps are notable for their geography. Due to their gently inclined profiles, these features often serve as practical routes for the construction of roads, railroads, and trails through otherwise mountainous terrain.