River profiles

• A long profile is a line representing the river from its source (where it starts) to its mouth (where it meets the sea). It shows how the river changes over its course.
• Long profile

  
• Upper course - in the upper course, where the river starts, there is often an upland area. The river's load is large in the upper course, as it hasn't been broken down by erosion yet
• • Lower course - in the lower course, the land is a lot flatter. The river's load is fine sediment, as erosion has broken down the rocks.
• Cross profile

  
• as the river flows downhill there is an increase in vertical erosion. The channel is shallow and narrow because there is not a lot of water in the channel.
• as the river flows into the middle course, there is some vertical erosion but more lateral erosion. The channel is wider and deeper as a result.
• in the lower course there is a lot less erosion, with only some lateral erosion. The channel is at its widest and deepest.