1. Rivers

2. What do you know about rivers?
Do you know where rivers come from?
Do you know any rivers in your local area?
What types of animals would you find in or near a river?
Is there anything you would like to know about rivers?

3. Where do rivers come from?
Does water flow up or down when you turn on a tap?
Yes, water always flows down! And rivers are the same – they always flow down from high land down to low land.

4. Glenealo river in the Wicklow mountains
The place where a river begins is called the source.
The source of a river is often in high ground, like a mountain.
Glenealo river in the Wicklow mountains

5. Eglish River, Bluestack Moutains
Where does it go then?
From the source of the river the water travels down the mountain.
As it flows down the water very slowly breaks away earth, soil and rocks to create a path down the mountain. This is called erosion.
Eglish River, Bluestack Moutains

6. Powerscourt Waterfall, Co. Wicklow
What do you think forms when a river flows over a steep slope or cliff in a hill?
That’s right – a waterfall!
Powerscourt Waterfall, Co. Wicklow

7. The smaller river Bann joins the Slaney river.
A river continues to grow bigger as it continues it’s journey, as other smaller rivers join it.
These rivers are called tributaries.
The smaller river Bann joins the Slaney river.

8. The mouth of a river, where it flows into the sea.
A river finishes it’s journey when it flows into the sea.
The place where the river meets the sea is called the mouth of the river.
The mouth of a river, where it flows into the sea.

9. Wildlife Many animals, fish and birds live in or around rivers. Otters
Salmon
Swans
Heron
Kingfisher
Trout
Ducks

10. Quiz
Water always flows… Up
Down
Across

11. The start of a river is called it’s…
Source
Mouth
Tributary

12. When a river breaks away soil and rocks to make a path it is called…
Breaking
Eating
Erosion

13. A small river that joins a bigger river is called a…
Stream
Tributary
Lake

14. A river finishes it’s journey at the…
Mouth
Eye
Ear

15. Which of these animals might you find near a river?
Deer
Otter
Fox

16. Can you think of any rivers near you?
Try drawing the journey of the river from source to mouth on a map.
And next time you explore a river or stream keep a sharp eye out for some of the local wildlife.