Why is the lower course wider than the upper course?

The river’s load is large in the upper course, as it hasn’t been broken down by erosion yet. Lower course – in the lower course, the land is a lot flatter. The river’s load is fine sediment, as erosion has broken down the rocks.

Is the lower course of a river wide?

The river has more energy and the volume amount of water is high. 2) In the lower course there is more lateral (sideways) erosion. The channel is wide and deep. The river has less friction to overcome which means that the river can flow faster.

Which course of the river is the widest?

Lower course – the final course of the river is where the land is a lot flatter. The river’s load is fine sediment, as erosion has broken down the rocks. The river channel is at its widest and deepest as it flows towards its mouth.

Is the upper course narrow or wide?

In the upper course, the valley cross-profile is narrow and steep-sided. The river takes up most of the valley floor. In the middle course, the valley becomes wider due to lateral erosion. By the lower course, the valley is almost flat, consisting of a wide flood plain.

Why do rivers cause more erosion in the upper course than in the lower course?

Upper course – this is where the river starts and is usually an upland area. Slopes are steep – this can increase the velocity of the river after heavy rainfall, when discharge is high. The river channel is narrow and shallow here. The river channel gets deeper and wider as the bed and banks are eroded.

Why the size of sediment carried by the river decreases downstream?

This is because the further downstream material is carried then the greater the time available for it to be eroded by attrition and abrasion which makes rocks and stones smaller and rounder.

Why is the lower course of a river flat?

In the lower course, the river has a high volume and a large discharge. The river channel is now deep and wide and the landscape around it is flat. However, as a river reaches the end of its journey, energy levels are low and deposition takes place.

Why is river in the lower course also known as Old Stage?

The Old Stage The land is also at its flattest. This means that the river has to work very hard to make its way to the sea. The main agent at work now is Deposition.

Why do rivers get wider?

Velocity. As a river flows downstream, its velocity increases. Additionally, less water is in contact with the river bed, which results in less energy needed overcome friction. The larger mass of water causes wider and deeper water channels in order to allow water in the river to flow more freely.

Why is the upper course of a river different to the lower course?

Upper course river features include steep-sided V-shaped valleys, interlocking spurs, rapids, waterfalls and gorges. Middle course river features include wider, shallower valleys, meanders, and oxbow lakes. Lower course river features include wide flat-bottomed valleys, floodplains and deltas.

What are the characteristics of the lower course of a river?

Why was the river getting wider than it has been in the past?

It’s well known that rivers increase in size as they transport water from their source in their headwaters to the mouth. The river channel becomes wider and deeper and as a result its cross-sectional area increases. We can also observe along the river’s course an increase in both quantity of water and bedload.