key terms

Question 1

source

Answer 1

where a river begins

Question 2

drainage basin

Answer 2

the area from which water drains into the river

Question 3

water shed

Answer 3

an imaginary line that separates two drainage basins

Question 4

confluence

Answer 4

the point where two rivers join together

Question 5

tributaries

Answer 5

smaller rivers which join the main river

Question 6

flood plain

Answer 6

land that floods when a river overflows

Question 7

mouth

Answer 7

where a river goes into the sea or lake

Question 8

river bed

Answer 8

the bottom of a river channel

Question 9

river bank

Answer 9

the side of a river channel

Question 10

channel

Answer 10

river flows in this

Question 11

erosion

Answer 11

the gradual removal of rock from a rivers banks and bed

Question 12

bedload

Answer 12

the material carried by a river as it moves

Question 13

waterfall

Answer 13

formation where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or cliff

Question 14

thalweg

Answer 14

the line of fastest flow

Question 15

ow bow lakes

Answer 15

a horse shoe or semi circular area that represents the former course of a meander

Question 16

capacity

Answer 16

the maximum amount of things a river can carry

Question 17

compentance

Answer 17

the largest sized individual particle a river can carry

Question 18

flood plain

Answer 18

the area of flat land next to a river that is created to allow water to overflow

Question 19

levee

Answer 19

an embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river

Question 20

delta

Answer 20

wetlands formed for rivers to empty their water snd sediment into another body of water

Question 21

estuary

Answer 21

a coastal body of water where freshwater mixes with saltwater