River Features Flashcards
Upper Course
This section of the river is near to the source of the river.
Middle course
This part of the river comes towards the centre of the river course.
Lower course
This section of the river is closer to the mouth of a river.
Four main stages of the water cycle
Evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection
Describe characteristics of the channel in the upper course
- slow flowing
- large angular boulders
- steep valley sides
- V-shaped valley
- interlocking spurs
Describe features of the middle course
- wider than the upper course
- faster velocity
- flatter + wider valley
- rocks are less angular than those found in the upper course
- deep sections
What is the channel shaped like in the upper course?
V - shaped
Shape of the channel in the middle course
U - shaped
Lower course channel shape
Semi - circle
Name some features found in the upper course
- gorges
- waterfalls
Features of the middle course
- oxbow lakes
- meanders
River features of the lower course
- Floodplain
- Meanders
- Oxbow lakes
- Mouth
- Deltas
Describe the upper course
- Less discharge
- Slower velocity
- Shallower depth (unless managed)
- Narrower width
- Steeper gradient
Describe the middle course
- Lateral Erosion
- Wider channel
Describe the lower course of a river
- Deposition
- Transportation
- Lateral Erosion
- Widest, deepest and fastest section of the river
