Unit 2: River Landscapes How do the characteristics of a river and its valley change?

Gradient The land surrounding the river channel. Valley The middle section of the river. Upper Course The steepness of the river. Mid Course The part of the valley where river is flowing. Lower Course Measure of volume and speed of water in channel at any one time. Measured in m3/sec Channel The higher section of the river. Discharge The bottom section of the river.

River profiles – Long Profile As a river flows downstream it experiences many changes. One of these it the gradient (steepness). At the source the gradient is steep, but it becomes more gentle (almost flat) as it reaches the sea. This is shown in a Long Profile. It means a river can be split up into 3 sections: Upper, Middle and Lower Courses.

River profiles

River Severn Profile