Rivers characteristics Flashcards
What does the long profile of a river show?
The long profile of a river shows the changes in the river gradient from the source to the mouth
Where is the source usually in a river ?
The source is usually in an upland area
What does the upper course of a river typically include?
The upper course of the river includes areas which are steep with uneven surfaces
What happens to the gradient of a river in the middle course in its long profile?
In the middle course the gradient decreases
What happens to the gradient of a river in the Lower course in its long profile?
In the lower section the gradient decreases further until it becomes almost flat
What characteristics does the cross profile of the upper course of the river include?
-Shallow
-Steep valley sides
-Narrow
-Low velocity
-Large bedload
-Rough channel bed
-High levels of friction
-Vertical erosion
What characteristics does the cross profile of the middle course of the river include?
-Deeper than upper course channel
-Gentle valley sides
-Wider than upper course channel
-Greater velocity than upper course channel
-Material in river decreases in size
-Smoother channel bed
-Lower levels of friction than upper course -channel
-Lateral erosion
What characteristics does the cross profile of the lower course of the river include?
-Deeper than middle course channel
-Flat floodplains
-Wider than middle course channel
-Greater velocity than the middle course channel (apart from as the river enters the mouth)
-Material carried mainly sediment and alluvium
-Smooth channel bed
-Lowest friction
-Deposition is dominant
What is a drainage basin?
A drainage basin is the area of land around the river that is drained by the river and its
tributaries
What is a tributary?
A small river that joins the main river channel.
What is a watershed?
the area of high land forming the edge of a river basin
What is a source of a river?
Where a river begins
What is the mouth of a river?
where a river meets the sea
What is a confluence?
the point at which two rivers meet
What is a river channel?
this is where the river flows
