1. Stages of a River

2. 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

3. Youthful
River

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

5. Early Mature
River

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

7. Late Mature River

8. Late Mature River

9. 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

10. Old Age River

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

12. Old Age River

13. 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

14. Rejuvenated River