What is a river?
A river is a ribbon-like body of water that flows downhill due the force of gravity in a
defined channel. In other words, rivers flow from highlands (source) to lowlands (mouth)
which may be the sea or a lake.
The three main parts of a river are;
The upper Course
The middle Course
Lower Course
The upper course
Key Vocabulary
Erosion
Hydraulic action
Abrasion
Attrition
Vertical erosion
V-shaped valley
Interlocking spurs
Waterfall
Gorge
rapids
potholes
Main Content
Feature 1: V-Shaped Valleys
Explanation: The river's energy is mainly used for vertical erosion, which creates a
narrow, steep-sided valley known as a V-shaped valley.
Formation: Discuss the role of vertical erosion, hydraulic action, and weathering in
shaping the valley.
Diagram: Draw a simple diagram of a V-shaped valley on the board, labeling key parts.
Have students copy this into their notes.
Feature 2: Interlocking Spurs
Explanation: The river is forced to wind around harder rock outcrops, creating a series
of ridges that protrude into the valley.
Formation: Discuss how softer rocks are eroded more easily, while harder rocks form
the spurs.
Diagram: Draw and label interlocking spurs, encouraging students to follow along.
Rapid: Rapids are sections of a river where the river bed has a
relatively steep gradient, causing an increase in water velocity and
turbulence. The water flows quickly on a slope.
Feature 3: Waterfalls”: a cascade of water falling from a height, formed when a river or stream
flows over a precipice or steep incline.
Explanation: Waterfalls occur where there is a sudden change in rock type, often where
hard rock lies over softer rock, leading to vertical erosion. Gorges are steep-sided valleys
formed as waterfalls retreat upstream.
Formation: Explain how hydraulic action and abrasion contribute to waterfall formation
and gorge development.
Diagram: Draw a labeled diagram of a waterfall showing the different rock layers and
how erosion leads to a gorge formation over time.
Erosion and Deposition Balance: Discuss how in the middle course, the
processes of erosion and deposition are more balanced, leading to the
formation of gentle slopes and wider valleys.
River Speed and Volume: The river flows more slowly compared to the
upper course, but the volume of water increases as tributaries join in.
Features of the Rivers Middle Course
Meanders:
o Definition: Large bends in the river’s course
Formation or Meanders: Explain lateral (side-to-side) erosion and
deposition.
River cliffs /The Outside Bank/Concave Bank
That’s where erosion takes place undercutting the bank
The water is deeper there.
The water velocity is higher/ it moves with more energy
resulting in the erosion of the cliff
Less friction
Point Bars/ Slip-off-slopes/Inside Bank /Convex Bank
That’s where deposition takes place
the water is shallower there cause more friction
the water velocity is lower/it has less energy causing the
dropping of particles
E.G= The Amazon River is the largest by water volume and sediment discharge in the
world. The scale of the meanders here are immense compared with other large rivers.
Oxbow Lakes:
o Definition: A U-shaped lake that forms when a wide meander is cut off from the main
river.
o Formation: Explain how erosion and deposition cause a meander to be cut off, creating
an oxbow lake.
Floodplains and Levees:
o Definition: A flat area around a river that floods during heavy rainfall. It is a wide, flat
valley floor that is rich in sediment.
o Levees are large natural embankment close to the river channel that raise the channel
bank
o Formation: Explain how periodic flooding deposits silt, creating fertile land.
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