rivers

• River profile


  The path of a river as it flows downhill
• River courses


  1. Steep upper course near the source

  2. Gently sloping middle course

  3. Almost flat lower course
• Long profile


  Shows how the gradient of a river changes
• Rivers


  • Form channels and valleys as they flow downhill
  • Erode the landscape and transport eroded material to somewhere further along the course where it is deposited
  • The shape of the valley and channel changes along the river depending on whether erosion or deposition is the dominant process
• Cross profile


  Shows what a cross-section of the river looks like
• Upper course


  1. Steep gradient

  2. V-shaped valley with steep sides

  3. Narrow and shallow channels
• Middle course


  1. Medium gradient

  2. Gently sloping

  3. Wide and deep channel