Rivers

• Water Shed

  The boundary of a drainage basin. It separates one drainage basin from another and is usually high land, such as hills or ridges.
• Tributary


  A stream that joins a larger river or stream.
• Source


  The starting point of a stream or river, often a spring or lake.
• Confluence


  A point where two streams or rivers meet.
• Mouth

  The point where the river leaves its drainage basin and flows into the sea.
• Drainage Basin

  A) Watershed

  B) Source

  C) Tributary

  D) Confluence

  E) Mouth

  
• Depth


  The distance from the surface of the water to the channel bed
• Velocity

  The speed at which water is moving through the channel - measured in m/s
• Channel width


  The distance from one bank to another
• Discharge


  The amount of water passing a given point in a given time - measured in cumecs (metres³/second) calculated by velocity x volume
• Gradient


  The change in the slope of the river bed as it passes from source to mouth
• Upper course

  very narrow

  very shallow
• Middle course

  wider than lower course

  deeper than lower course
• Lower course

  Widest

  Deepest
• Upper course


  shape of river valley

  • Steep
  • V-shape valley
  • Interlocking spurs
• Middle Course

  Shape of the valley

  • flatter
  • wider
• lower course

  Shape of the valley

  • flattest
  • at sea level
• Upper course

  landforms

  • v-shaped valley
  • waterfalls
  • rapids
  • gorge
• Middle course

  Landforms

  • meanders
  • ox-bow lakes
  • flood plains
• Lower course

  Landforms

  • mouth
  • estuary
  • mudflats