Stages of a River

A. Youthful River River bed usually has a steep gradient Its sides and channel are steep, straight, & deep creating a “V” shaped valley Has very few tributaries Fast rapids and/or waterfalls

Youthful River

B. Early Mature River V-Shaped Valley Beginning of a flood plain Has many tributaries Sharp divides between drainage basins

Early Mature River

C. Late Mature River Flat bottom valley making a “U” shape valley Narrow flood plain Sediment build up Divides round off River begins to meander

Late Mature River

Late Mature River

D. Old Age River Valley is worn down to nearly flat Resistant rocks remain Slow water flow and Oxbow lakes Meandering rivers and extremely wide flood plains

Old Age River

Old Age River

E. Rejuvenated River Upheaval of land can start the process all over again Can also happen at any point due to shifts in plate tectonics Stream valley takes on youthful characteristics but can keep some old features

Rejuvenated River