key terms Flashcards
source
where a river begins
drainage basin
the area from which water drains into the river
water shed
an imaginary line that separates two drainage basins
confluence
the point where two rivers join together
tributaries
smaller rivers which join the main river
flood plain
land that floods when a river overflows
mouth
where a river goes into the sea or lake
river bed
the bottom of a river channel
river bank
the side of a river channel
channel
river flows in this
erosion
the gradual removal of rock from a rivers banks and bed
bedload
the material carried by a river as it moves
waterfall
formation where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or cliff
thalweg
the line of fastest flow
ow bow lakes
a horse shoe or semi circular area that represents the former course of a meander
capacity
the maximum amount of things a river can carry
compentance
the largest sized individual particle a river can carry
flood plain
the area of flat land next to a river that is created to allow water to overflow
levee
an embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river
delta
wetlands formed for rivers to empty their water snd sediment into another body of water
estuary
a coastal body of water where freshwater mixes with saltwater
