Rivers

• What will you learn in this chapter?

  About rivers and their landforms
• How do rivers impact the landscape?

  They erode, transport, and deposit materials
• What is the purpose of the ice-breaker activity?

  To brainstorm words related to rivers
• What are the learning intentions regarding rivers?

  • Features commonly found along rivers
  • Three stages of a river
  • Characteristics and landforms of each stage
• What is the role of rivers?

  They drain rainwater to the sea
• What is the source of a river?

  The beginning or start of a river
• What is the course of a river?

  The route a river takes to the sea
• What is a confluence?

  The point where two rivers join together
• What is a tributary?

  A smaller river flowing into a larger one
• What is the mouth of a river?

  The point where a river enters the sea
• What is a drainage basin?

  The area of land drained by a river
• What is a watershed?

  The area of high ground separating drainage basins
• What is an estuary?

  The part of a river mouth that is tidal
• What are the three stages of a river?

  1. Youthful stage (Upper)
  2. Mature stage (Middle)
  3. Old stage (Lower)
• What are the characteristics of the youthful stage of a river?

  • Steep gradient
  • Fast-flowing speed
  • Low water volume
  • Erosion dominant
  • V-shaped valleys and waterfalls
• What are the characteristics of the mature stage of a river?

  • Gently sloping gradient
  • Slow-moving speed
  • Higher water volume
  • Erosion and deposition
  • Meanders and oxbow lakes
• What are the characteristics of the old stage of a river?

  • Leveling off gradient
  • Slow-moving speed
  • Largest water volume
  • Deposition dominant
  • Wide flood plains and levees
• How does a river shape the landscape through erosion?

  The river wears down the landscape
• What is river transportation?

  The river carries the material it has eroded
• What is river deposition?

  The river drops the material it was carrying
• What is the load of a river?

  The material eroded and carried by the river
• What are the methods of river transportation?

  1. Traction
  2. Saltation
  3. Suspension
  4. Solution
• What is traction in river transportation?

  Larger stones are rolled along the riverbed
• What is saltation in river transportation?

  Smaller pebbles are bounced along the riverbed
• What is suspension in river transportation?

  Light materials float along in the water
• What is solution in river transportation?

  Materials dissolve in the water and are carried
• What causes river deposition?

  • Reduction in river speed
  • Increase in load size
  • Reduction in river volume
  • Leveling off of gradient
• What is a delta?

  A triangular area of land at a river mouth
• How do deltas form?

  When a river slows down and deposits its load
• What conditions are necessary for delta formation?

  • Large sediment transport
  • Small tidal range and weak currents
  • Shallow sea at river mouth
• What are some ways people interact with rivers?

  • Transport
  • Tourism
  • Fishing
  • Settlement
  • Pollution
  • Hydroelectric power
  • Domestic water supply
  • Flooding
• How have rivers been used for transport?

  To move people and goods since ancient times
• How do rivers contribute to tourism?

  By providing activities like cruising and fishing
• Why are rivers important for fishing?

  They provide habitats for fish like salmon
• What is the role of rivers in settlement?

  They provide water, food, and transport
• How can farming lead to river pollution?

  Slurry can seep into rivers and pollute
• How does domestic waste contribute to river pollution?

  Septic tank material can seep into rivers
• How can industrial waste pollute rivers?

  Factories dumping waste can poison rivers
• What is hydroelectric power (HEP)?


  Energy generated from the power of water
• How do rivers provide domestic water supply?

  Over 80% of tap water comes from rivers