Parts of a River

Question 0

Downriver

Answer 0

Between headwaters and floodplain. Usually larger then headwaters.

Question 1

The head waters

Answer 1

Extreme upper reaches of a stream.

Question 2

Tributary

Answer 2

A steam or river which flows into a mainstream.

Question 3

Confluence

Answer 3

A place where two rivers meet.

Question 4

Floodplain

Answer 4

The relatively flat land adjacent to a river channel that is underwater when the river floods.

Question 5

Mouth/Delta

Answer 5

An area formed from the deposition of sediments in the mouth of a river.

Question 6

Estuary

Answer 6

The area where a river meets the sea or ocean, where fresh water from the river meets the salt water of the sea.

Question 7

Brackish water

Answer 7

Where the fresh water mixes with the salt water.

Question 8

Erosion

Answer 8

Process where fragments of soil and rock are broken off from the surface and carried away.

Question 9

Alluvium

Answer 9

Material that is transported and deposited by a river.

Question 10

Cut bank

Answer 10

High steep banks along the edge of a channel.

Question 11

Riffles

Answer 11

Shallow fast moving section of the river between meanders.

Question 12

Pool

Answer 12

Deep section of the river.

Question 13

Point Bar

Answer 13

Shallow part on the inside curve of a river where the water slows and drops off its sediment load.

Question 14

Meander

Answer 14

Looping curve in a river formed by slow moving water.

Question 15

Oxbow lake

Answer 15

Crescent shaped lake cut off from the river that remains when the river cuts a new channel.

Question 16

Old channel

Answer 16

A dry channel where the stream changed course.

Question 17

Terraces

Answer 17

Area where the stream overflowed a channel and created a flat floodplain.

Question 18

Riparian Area

Answer 18

An area of vegetation that grows along waterways.

Question 19

Braided Stream

Answer 19

A place where the steam breaks into many smaller streams.