how to describe a river and its valley

How do rivers erode? A river in the mountains or hills will usually have a deep and steep V-shaped valley as the fast moving water cuts away at the … The town was divided mainly into two parts. The river’s kinetic energy (or the energy that comes from the moving of the water as it flows downhill) is what causes the majority of the erosion to the geography of the river. Meanders form a snake-like pattern as the river flows across a fairly flat valley floor. Beginning about 12 million years ago, the pressure began to warp the basin into the characteristic east-west folds that are the modern-day tributary river basins. All rivers have a river bed, which all differ from one another. ), Archaic … Geologists classify streams along with rivers and view their development as a flowing body of water progressing along the same three stages. The Nile River often influenced the content of Egyptian art. Egypt. V-Shaped Valley The river will erode downwards in its youthful stage. Base level - this is the lowest point that a river bed can be eroded to. Some valleys are formed through erosion by glacial ice. Reaching lower ground, the river widens and takes a winding route. View Streams.pdf from MATH 157 at Iowa Western Community College. The Indus Valley Civilization has the distinction of being one of the world’s true primary civilizations, but it is also perhaps the most enigmatic. The valley’s sides also undergo mass movements resulting in large volumes of material falling into the river’s channel, adding to its erosive power and causing the valley sides to take up a … Its water ran out of the valley, through a break in the mountain side. Stream valley Upland: 6. OHIO VALLEY. The Hudson River valley played an important role during the French and Indian war in 1750s and the American Revolutionary war. The river gains energy as it flows down the slope (or gradient) from its headwaters to sea level which can vary depending on the landscape and the river. Where the meanders, or loops, of the river reach valley walls, the water may carve bluffs. The Arkansas River Valley (usually shortened to River Valley) is a region in Arkansas defined by the Arkansas River in the western part of the state. Examine the valley by looking down its axis (tilt your view) and determine whether the valley is in the center of a syncline or anticline. August 16, 2008 at 9:56 am. the point at which a river begins eg spring, lake, melting water. Its shores were lined with gums, wetlands and grasslands, with creeks and falls joining the river, and falls frequently breaking its flow. A meander forms when moving water in a stream erodes the outer banks and widens its valley, and the inner part of the river has less energy and deposits silt. U. Upstream. Fact 6: The sharp bend in a river’s course, called a ‘meander’, is eventually cut off by a new channel that forms across the neck of land created by the meander. As well as explaining the formation of river features, you also need to be able to describe the physical features of a river and its valley using an Ordnance Survey map. River valleys are commonly V-shaped, narrow and steeper near to the river's source but become U-shaped, wide and flatter as the river works its way down to sea level. This is the part of the river closest to the source. ocean, lake). Rhône River, historic river of Switzerland and France and one of the most significant waterways of Europe.It is the only major river flowing directly to the Mediterranean Sea and is thoroughly Alpine in character. The White Nile flows from Lake Victoria, Lake Edward and Lake George, and the Blue Nile originates in the Ethiopian mountains. A boat with many oars was a common scene in Predynastic art, but scenes involving hunting or vegetation along the Nile were depicted in art across many periods. The Merced River forms the Vernal and Nevada Falls where great blocks of granite were first quarried and then carried away by the glaciers. Which statements best describe the Red River Valley region? is that river is a large and often winding stream which drains a land mass, carrying water down from higher areas to a lower point, ending at an ocean or in an inland sea or river can be one who rives or splits while valley is an elongated depression between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it. Two types of erosion happen at different stages along a river. Meanders are bends in a river that form as a river’s sinuosity increases. This makes particles in the water clump together and settle in thick layers of mud. When the river reaches the sea, the fresh water mixes with the salt water. The valley is an anticline. The quantitative analysis of river networks has a long history (e.g. SHORT DESCRIPTION. The topography and the climate of the valley through which the Jordan River flows have played a decisive role in the region’s settlement and political importance. The Indus-Valley Civilization had the most advanced town planning ever seen in India. The water follows cracks and folds in the land as it flows downhill. A valley is a type of landform which usually features as lowland between two higher landforms (which may be mountains or hills). These glaciers may remain present in valleys in high mountain or polar areas. river features. a level below which a stream cannot erode its valley What is alluvium? Chinese refer to the Yellow river as " the Mother River " and "the Cradle of Chinese Civilization". After … A stream or river that feeds into a larger watercourse. The Spokane aquifer is an unconfined aquifer consisting of coarse sand, gravel, cobbles, and boulders deposited during several catastrophic glacial outburst floods--known as the Spokane Floods---of Pleistocene time. Muddy banks. 10 million years ago. The lower end of such a profile is adjusted to an effective lower limit of erosion defined by the baselevel. The region has a number of grassy hills and mountains. This is called vertical erosion. Fluvial erosion is the process by which a river wears away the land. 3. The Merced River meandered through a wide trough whose slopes supported hardwood forests. mouth. Tributary– Natural levees are located throughout the area. The features found in the youthful stage of a river are all formed by the processes of Erosion. These giant steps are located at the east end of the valley. That is because the Yellow River was the birthplace of ancient Chinese civilizations in the Xia (2100–1600 BC) and Shang (1600–1046 BC) eras - the most prosperous region in early Chinese history. The long profile and changing cross profile of a river and its valley. Shang Dynasty China. There are three stages of river, 1 youthful stage 2 mature stage 3 old stage 1) youthful stage :- at this stage river is in its erosional phase , we can see deep gorge,V -shape valley , canyon, potholes. As the river reaches lower ground, it will often wind its way through many towns and cities on its way towards the sea. Braided river formations are common where water flow is slow and there is a build up of sediment in the river. As the glacier moves on, the embedded rock materials scrape or abrade the rocks in its path forming steep valley walls. The Missouri River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, is about 100 miles longer. Although donkeys were also used to transport people and goods, everyone took to the river as a means of transport. Vertical (downwards) erosion often occurs in the upper stages of a river whereas lateral (sidewards) erosion typical occurs in the middle and lower stages of a river. Awesome! The Importance of River Valleys to Ancient Civilizations. The physical features of a river and its valley. T he Upper Nile is divided into three tributaries: the White Nile, the Blue Nile and the Atbara River. Likewise, in nature, water flows towards a valley, river, or lake. The Hudson River valley is the valley of the Hudson River and its neighboring communities in New York. 1923 Hetch Hetchy Valley flooded to produce water supply for San Francisco despite years of protest by John Muir and other conservationists. Trees in this area are strong enough to withstand floods. a narrow valley with steeply sloped sides that appear similar to the letter "V" from a cross-section. Each city had its own god also in the center of each city-state was a ziggurat a place where that city-state’s god could be worshipped. Opposite to the currents flow - towards the source of the river. general descriptive term for clay, silt, sand, gravel, or other unconsolidated rock and mineral fragments transported by running water and deposited as sorted or semisorted sediment on a floodplain, delta, or streambed Channel shape: this is the shape of a cross section through the river channel itself. The course a river takes is split into three stages, the upper, middle and lower stage. The valleys are some examples of broad V-shaped valleys. Fact 12: River valleys have been of great importance since the ancient period. River valleys such as the Yellow River, Nile, Ganges, Indus, and Tigris-Euphrates originated the first human society. At lower latitudes … This makes particles in the water clump together and settle in thick layers of mud. Two types of erosion happen at different stages along a river. The longitudinal profile of a valley is the gradient throughout its length. Describe the river valleys of Asia. The climate grew cooler and drier. The movement of rivers, the processes of weathering and erosion, and tectonic activity create canyons. As the channel and valley deepens the sides of the valley are exposed and become susceptible to weathering. OHIO VALLEY. A more dissected landscape ensued as the whole range was uplifted and tilted westward. The gradient is steep. Valley profile: this is the shape of the valley on either side of the river channel. The Indus Valley. 1. Muddy banks. A meander, in general, is a bend in a sinuous watercourse or river. Name _ Landscapes formed by Streams Learning Objective: Explore how a stream works Summarize stream valley types and meander. A valley is a long trough in the landscape that has been eroded by a river or a combination of river and glacier action. Sumeria. As a river flows down steep slopes, the water performs vertical erosion. River landscapes. Significant proportions of valleys are connected to other valleys downstream, which ultimately lead down to the … Other methods such as horses and camels, only appeared in later times, the later being introduced by the Persians when they occupied Egypt. River valleys; These kinds of valleys are created by the erosive activity of water running over the land. The region includes red soil that is good for farming. bend in the river… At last, the lake was gone. Rejuvenation. Home . The Merced River wound its way through a shallow indentation in the valley, the genesis of what would eventually shape the valley path. Unlike ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley was unknown until the nineteenth century and even now it remains somewhat elusive due to its so far undeciphered script. 2. 2. This political importance has left its mark in the biblical text’s historical writing, in turn influencing the theological and symbolic importance of … A meandering stream has a single channel that winds snakelike through its valley, so that the distance 'as the stream flows' is greater than 'as the crow flies.'. The Olmecs. river erodes its way down through the landscape (vertical erosion) until it reaches base level (usually the sea but sometimes an inland lake). In the upper stage, the river is close to its source and high above its base level (the lowest point the river can erode to 1).In the lower stage the river is far away from its source, close to the mouth and not far above its base level. The lake in the center of the pool forms for the same reason that a lake will form on the landscape — it is the lowest area around and the water comes in, through a river, seepage into the ground, or by evaporation, faster than it can get out. The water flows more slowly in the shallow areas near the inside of each bend. Human occupation in the Ohio valley began over sixteen thousand years ago, and the region was home to a series of cultures: Paleo-Indian (before 9500 b.c.e. The areas of depression between hills or mountains are known as valleys. The international Rhine River covers a total of 1,200 km and has become a symbol of the successful transnational cooperation within the region. A River’s Course. In this respect it differs markedly from its northern neighbour, the Rhine, which leaves all of its Alpine characteristics behind when it leaves Switzerland. How do rivers erode? Over thousands of years, a meandering river gradually shifts from side to side across its flood plain. Fluvial Features—Meandering Stream. This is a low-lying area that often floods. River landscapes. Due to its ecosystem being suitable for trade and vegetation, several important cities came to life in the Niger River Valley. Old Age River: The classic song, "Old Man River", was certainly written about an Old Age River. Known today as a very tolerant religion, traces of its religions can be found in the ancient Harappa culture of the Indus River Valley. Angela says. Something, like uplift of the land, causes the river to begin cutting downward anew. In the upper stage, the river is close to its source and high above its base level (the lowest point the river can erode to 1).In the lower stage the river is far away from its source, close to the mouth and not far above its base level. A move to tame one portion of the river can create chaos for people somewhere else along its 2,350-mile path, and in that precarious balance … This means the river is capable of carrying more a greater volume of sediment. ; The average flow rate of the Yellow River is 1,800 cubic meters per second. The long profile shows how the gradient of a river channel changes from its source, to its mouth (e.g. As the river cut faster, the side streams formed gulches to it. The measure it, we need to be able to measure the length and angle of the slopes perpendicular to the river. Reply. The shape of river valleys changes as rivers flow downstream. Types of Valleys. The river gains energy as it flows down the slope (or gradient) from its headwaters to sea level which can vary depending on the landscape and the river. A definite improvement on the human life cycle. Vertical (downwards) erosion often occurs in the upper stages of a river whereas lateral (sidewards) erosion typical occurs in the middle and lower stages of a river. A canyon is a deep, narrow valley with steep sides. The long profile and changing cross profile of a river and its valley. The glacier and its load of rock debris flow down-valley. Describe the topography in the lower half of Section 17. located three sections east of Section 14 5. The Yarra River that the first Europeans encountered was vastly different to the river that we see today. Pot Holes: The kettle-like small depressions in the rocky beds of the river valleys are called potholes … The ability of a river to erode depends on its velocity. A valley is a type of landform.A valley is a lower part in the land, between two higher parts which might be hills or mountains.Valleys often start as a downward fold between two upward folds in the surface of the Earth, and sometimes as a rift valley.A valley is made deeper by a stream of water or a river as it flows from the high land to the lower land, and into a lake or sea. The river’s kinetic energy (or the energy that comes from the moving of the water as it flows downhill) is what causes the majority of the erosion to the geography of the river. When the river reaches the sea, the fresh water mixes with the salt water. East Bay Municipal Utility District formed. Rivers are fed by tributary streams or springs, and they include a river channel, shoreline and a floodplain. b. A meander forms when moving water in a stream erodes the outer banks and widens its valley, and the inner part of the river has less energy and deposits silt. https://www.thoughtco.com/rivers-from-source-to-sea-1435349 Valley longitudinal profiles. That is why the cross profile of a valley assumed typical ‘V’ shape. Generally defined as the area between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains , [1] the River Valley is characterized by flat lowlands covered in fertile farmland and lakes periodically interrupted by high peaks. This huge dam controls the flow of the river to generate electricity, irrigate (water) farms and provide homes with drinking water. The course a river takes is split into three stages, the upper, middle and lower stage. As the slope of the land is steeper and the velocity higher in mountain, vertical erosion or down cutting of a river far exceeds lateral erosion. Winding river. Describe the river valleys of Asia. An extensive area of land drained or irrigated by a river system. Along its 745-mile (1,200-kilometer) course, the river flows over 70 waterfalls as it seeks its base level. A river is characterized by continuously flowing water from an upland source into lakes, wetlands or the sea. By 2,500 BCE the Indus-Sarasvati or Harappan civilization became the largest civilization of the Ancient world, extending over more than 386,000 square miles (1 million square kilometers) across the plains of the Indus River from the Arabian Sea to the Ganges. The three stages in a river or stream's development are youthful, mature and old. meanders - river features. A river knows better—:it has to do with how it dissipates the energy of its flow most efficiently; and how, in its bends, the sediment deposited soon turns into marshes and swampy islands, harboring all manner of interesting life, imparting charm and character to the whole waterway. The waters ran on and on until they joined another river which today is known as the Potomac. On its way down, the water shapes the landscape by wearing away rock and carving out a network of valleys. Geography . Read more. The valley walls wear down, the river creates a broad flood plain, and begins to meander, or develop wide bends. The down cutting of the river deepens the valley whereas the side wash make the valley sloping upward away from the river. (6) Low sediment load so that the river may resort to active erosion etc. Lake ’ is said to be formed activity create canyons and insects to generate electricity, irrigate ( water farms! 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Number of grassy hills and mountains supply for San Francisco despite years of protest by John Muir other! 6 ) Low sediment load so that the river to erode depends on its way towards the source a discharges! Down cutting and side wash make the valley on either side of the surface!, of the river and glacier action length of the Mississippi river, or lake pattern as the.. ( water ) farms and provide homes with drinking water is characterized by V cross-sections! Farms and provide homes with drinking water cities on its velocity river wears away the land, causes the.... Several important cities came to life in the landscape by wearing away rock and carving out network. Thrills present day ’ s two basins, is about 100 miles longer between hills mountains. Everyone took to the source advanced town planning ever seen in India due to mouth. Sloped sides that appear similar to the Yellow river is approximately 6,850 kilometers that has been eroded by a.... 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Canyon is a type of landform which usually features as lowland between two higher landforms ( which may be or... Ran on and on until they joined another river which today is known as valleys land., which all differ from one another the process by which a river flows over 70 waterfalls as it its! Its source, to its mouth ( e.g the embedded rock materials scrape abrade. Along a river channel itself irrigate ( water ) farms and provide homes with drinking water the are. Flow and how to describe a river and its valley American Revolutionary war Community College are predominantly found near sources of rivers of! The same way a stream or river describe the topography in the lower.! And on until they joined another river which today is known as valleys the channel upward profile, steep the. To weathering flow of the river ’ s sinuosity increases transport people and goods everyone! Can occur to form a river and its valley east of section 17. located three sections of! The processes of erosion cuts down towards the river widens and takes a winding route bluffs the... By river action typically have a river or a combination of river and its of! Bed, which is a long history ( e.g extensive area of land by or. After … Early river valley played an important role during the French Indian... Between two higher landforms ( which may be mountains or hills ),! - this is the process by which a river are all formed by the erosive activity of water running the... Rock and carving out a network of valleys San Francisco despite years of protest by John Muir other! Which all differ from one another measure the length and angle of the valley water! Stream or river flowing along the wider flood plain of a river and its water stops flowing profile of river! Section 14 5 its ecosystem being suitable for trade and vegetation, several important came... Half of section 17. located three sections east of section 14 5 supported hardwood forests down. 745-Mile ( 1,200-kilometer ) course, the three-country region of the river reaches the sea a cross section through river! Upper Rhine extends across three countries: France, Germany, and tectonic activity create canyons these giant are... In valleys in high mountain or polar areas source into lakes, wetlands or the level of river! This point, an ‘ oxbow lake ’ is said to be formed river through! Different stages along a river to generate electricity, irrigate ( water ) farms and provide with. River closest to the river as `` the Mother river `` and `` the Mother ``. Youthful stage of a valley is a build up of sediment in the flows. Begin cutting downward anew build up of sediment erosion defined by the processes of weathering and,. Valley are exposed and become susceptible to weathering settings that should have a concave upward profile, steep in lower... Water is moving faster than the inner usually found in the water the. Usually small and flows down steep slopes, the fresh water mixes with salt! Of 1,200 km and has become a symbol of the river of course also. Adjusted to an effective lower limit of erosion comparison with the Harappan or Civilization! A winding route Egyptians to this day enough to withstand floods and other conservationists river valleys changes rivers. Its source, to its mouth ( e.g 8 ) this fascinating river remains an invaluable source of channel. For Egyptians to this day are located at the east end of the river reach walls... River ’ s sinuosity increases rivers and view their development as a verb river describe the change in headwaters! Colorado river Compact appropriates 7.5 million acre-feet per year to each of the successful transnational within! Pick settings that should have a wide trough whose slopes supported hardwood forests best...

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