physical characteristics

• 1. climate
  2. rock type
  3. soils and vegetation
  4. river flow
• climate -

  • northern valley of basin is colder but rainfall and snowmelt are unpredictable
  • southern valley temps can reach 40 degrees = rainfall is low and unreliable
  • most of the Colorado flows through Mojave desert - receives less than 250mm annually
  • this area receives seasonal downpours= flash floods
• rock type -

  • mainly sedimentary - e.g. sandstone
  • sandstone is a soft rock so erodes easy - rivers erosional processes lead to vertical erosion - created grand canyon
  • high temps lead to expansion and contraction of rock opening rock fissures
• soils and vegetation -

  • thin and red desert soil = cant support vegetation = barren land scape
• river flow -

  • river flow is seasonal as the river is fed from spring melt water
  • lots of snowfall in winter = high discharge on snowmelt
  • low snowfall in summer = less water entering the system