A small inlet is a body of water that is smaller than a bay and is usually found along a coastline. The term can be used to describe three different types of inlets: a COVE, a RIA, and a BAYOU. A COVE is a small, sheltered inlet with a narrow entrance. A RIA is a long, narrow inlet that was formed by the partial submergence of a river valley. A BAYOU is a slow-moving stream or river that is typically found in a marshy area. An ARM is a narrow inlet of the sea that is usually found at the mouth of a larger body of water.