Cross Profile of a River

• What is this?

  Upper course of a river’s cross profile

  
• What is this?

  Middle course of a river’s cross profile

  
• What is this?

  Lower course of a river’s cross profile

  
• What is a river cross profile?


  A cross profile shows a cross-section of a river’s channel and valley at a certain point along the river’s course
• List the features of the upper course of a river's cross profile

  • Shallow, narrow river channel
  • Less evidence of erosion
  • V shaped
  • Valley floor developing
  • Increasing amount of lateral erosion

  
• List the features of the middle course of a river's cross profile

  • Widest, deepest river channel
  • Steep valley sides
  • Mainly lateral erosion
  • Increasing deposition

  
• List the features of the lower course of a river's cross profile

  • U shaped
  • Mainly vertical erosion
  • Thin channel
  • Flat valley