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 Interlocking Spurs

Youthful River

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

Early Mature River

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

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

Check out the Mississippi River and all the changes it has taken.

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