River Landscape Revision

Key words
Mouth the point at which a
river ends. This is when the
river enters the sea.
Source the point at which a
river starts. It usually starts in a
valley or mountain.
Tributary a stream or river
which flows into another river.
Confluence its the meeting
point of the tributary and the
river.
Watershed the line of high
relief that separates the
drainage basins.
River drainage basin
source the point where
the river starts
watershed the line of high relief
that separates the drainage basin.
confluence its the meeting point of a
tributary and the river
mouth the point where
the river enters the sea
river basin
tributary a stream or river which flows into
another river. It doesnt flow directly into the
sea.
river channel
Types of erosion
Types of
erosion
Hydraulic action
When water causes air to
be trapped in the cracks
of the river bed and
banks. The trapped air
expands and causes the
material to break off.
Corrasion
When the material in the
water rub together with
the river bed or bank and
causes it to wear away.
Its like a sandpaper
action.
Attrition
When the material in the
water bang into each
other and causes the
material to break down
into smaller particles.
Corrosion
When soluble materials
dissolve in the water.
Types of weathering
Types of
weathering
Physical weathering
When water in the cracks
are frozen and due to the
low, freezing
temperature, it will cause
pressure around the rock
and may break off.
Chemical weathering
If the rain water contains
acid (acid rain), it will
break down certain rocks
such as limestone.
Biological weathering
Seeds that fall in the
cracks will grow and put
force on the rock.
Animals that burrow in
cracks will also put force
on the rock.
Types of mass movement
Types of
mass
movement
Soil creep
Its the slow downhill
movement of soil due to
gravity. The moisture in
the soil and gravity will
pull it down.
Slumping
Its the fast movement of
a large area of land
moving down a slope.
The soil gets saturated
with water and gets
pulled down by gravity.
Long
profile
of
a
River
Lower course
Low gradient (flat
land)
High discharge and
high velocity due to
the large amount of
water in the river.
River channel is
wide and deep as it
moves towards the
sea.
Middle course
Gradient decreases.
Discharge and velocity
increases as the
amount of water in the
river increases.
River channel gets
wider and starts to
meander.
Upper course
Steep gradient as river
starts in an area of
high relief.
Low discharge and
velocity as there is not
much water.
River channel is
narrow.
Formation of a Meander & Ox-bow Lake
All the water is directed towards the outside of
the bend. This causes erosion of the outer
bend and a river cliff will form. On the inside of
the bend, deposition will occur and a slip-off
slope will form. This happens in the middle
course.
An ox-bow lake is formed when the neck of the
meander grows narrower and narrower due to
erosion. When the river floods, it breaks
through the meander neck and takes an easier
course. Deposition occurs along the edge of
the new river course and the meander will cut
off from the river. This happens in the middle
course.
Formation of a Waterfall
The water will erode the soft
rock and leave the hard rock,
forming an overhang. As erosion
continues, it will form a plunge
pool. Eventually, the overhang
will collapse due to hydraulic
action and the water will
retreat. A gorge is formed. This
happens in the upper course of
the river.
Formation of a V-shaped valley/interlocking spurs
As the river flows, it cuts
downwards due to low river
discharge. This sis called vertical
erosion. The soil and rocks are then
attacked by weathering processes.
Eventually, it will slip down the slop
into the river. Weathering and
erosion continue to widen and
deepen the valley into the shape of
a V. As the river flows, it erodes the
soft rocks however winds its way
around the hard rocks.
Formation of a levee
When a rivers banks burst, the
land besides the river will flood,
this is a flood plain. The river
will deposit material called
alluvium. This consists of heavy
material such as pebbles,
medium weight material such as
sand and lightweight material
such as silts and clay. These
materials create a levee. This
happens in the lower course of
the river.
Flood
Risks
Human causes Physical causes
Deforestation - plants and trees lower
the amount of water that reaches the
river channel and slows down how
long it takes for the water to reach the
river channel. It increases the risk of
flooding.
Heavy rain - This means there will be
lots of water in the drainage basin and
the water table will be high. It
increases the risk of flooding.
Building a dam - This allows you to
control the amount of water entering
the river. If there is a lot of rain you
can reduce the amount of water you
let in the river channel. It decreases
the risk of flooding.
Permeable rock - If the water soaks
through the rock, it takes longer to get
to the river channel. This slow
response lowers the risk of a flood.
Urban Development - Building on the
floodplain will mean all surfaces are
impermeable. This means when it
rains, water will flow into the river
channel quickly. This increases the risk
of flooding
Hot, sunny weather - This means there
will be ore evaporation, therefore
lowering the overall water level. It
decreases the risk of flooding.
Building roads - This increases the
amount of impermeable surface and
the roads can quickly carry the water
to the river. This increases the risk of
flooding.
Lots of tributaries - This will mean the
rain water reaches the river channel
quickly. This is because the water
travels quickly to the main river
through streams and smaller rivers.
This increases the risk of a flood.
Case study: Boscastle Flood of 2004
Boscastle is located in Cornwall which is in the south west of England.
Human causes of flood Physical causes of flood
Deforestation on drainage basin
Built buildings and roads, making
the surface impermeable
20mm of rain throughout the
afternoon (heavy rain)
The River Valancy and Jordan meet,
doubling the volume of water
The river bursts its banks
Effects of the flood
Many cars were washed away
Local shops and buildings were damaged
Up to 60% of income was lost because they rely on tourism
during the summer
Sections of South West Coast Path had to be closed
A car park had to be rebuilt
Trees were washed away
Responses to flood
Residents were airlifted by helicopters
Sections of South West Coast Path had
to be closed
Infrastructure had to be rebuilt
River defences
Hard Engineering Technique Description Advantages Disadvantages
Embankments Raised banks along the river To make it more difficult to flood due to
the high relief. Its natural.
Unsafe for children. Takes up space.
Sometimes not high enough.
Channelisation Channel may be widened, deepened or
straightened to carry more water
Reduces risk of flooding. Can lead to greater flooding
downstream.
Flood relief channels Channel may be altered to divert water
away from settlements
Water is diverted, protecting residents. Requires large amount of land.
Expensive.
Dams Controls amount of water in river Water stored in reservoir behind dam.
Can generate hydroelectricity.
Expensive. Erosion downstream.
Flood walls Vertical barrier made from concrete Can be used where space is limited. Has to be assembled well.
Storage areas Will fill with water if river floods areas
next to river
Natural looking. Doesnt damage
environment.
Only comes into use when river is
flooded.
Soft Engineering Technique Description Advantages Disadvantages
Floodplain zoning Controlling development next to rivers Cheap. Reduces impact of flooding. Cant build on that land. No one is able
to live there.
Washlands River allowed to flood naturally in
wasteland areas
Nothing is built. Provides wetland for
birds and plants. Agricultural land.
Cant be built on. Marshlands are
formed.
Warning systems Sirens which give people early warnings
of flood events
Cheap. Not enough time for residents to
prepare.
Afforestation Plant trees to slow down rainfall reaching
river
Increases fire risk.
Case study: River Nene in Northampton, UK
Heavy rain on the 9
th
of April, 1998, caused the river to overflow. 2 people died as a result.
Management Technique 1
A clay flood embankment raised the land by 6.8m
in 2002. It cost 2 million. Its a hard engineering
technique.
Management Technique 2
The warning system was upgraded by the
environment agency, providing 2 hours notice. Its
a soft engineering technique.
Management Technique 3
A flood retention reservoir to control water. Its a
hard engineering technique.
Management Technique 4
A washland was created in 2007 to divert the water
and reduce flooding. It cost 8 million. Its a soft
engineering technique.
Management Technique 5
4m floodwalls were installed near Northampton
Railway Station. Gabion boxes protect the banks
from erosion. Its a hard engineering technique.
The managements have allowed a new housing
estate to be built on the flood plain.