RIVERS

FACTORS AFFECTING SPEED OF RIVER

GRADIENT

ROUGHNESS OF CHANNEL

WETTED PERIMETER

Main topic

RIVER SYSTEM

Upper course

- Gradient: STEEP
- River Channel: NARROW & SHALLOW

Middle course

- Gradient: GENTLER THAN UPPER COURSE ; STEEPER THAN LOWER COURSE
- River Channel: WIDER & DEEPER THAN UPPER COURSE, TRIBUTARIES joined in along the way

Lower course

- Gradient: GENTLE
- River Channel: WIDE & DEEP
- Volume of water INCREASED because:
=> MORE tributaries joined in