P1A 04Glossary of Key River Terms

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Abrasion/Corrasion

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The wearing away of the river bed and banks by material carried along by the river.

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Alluvium Deposition

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The process of depositing sediment transported by a river.

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Attrition

Back

The process where rocks and sediment carried by the river collide with each other and break into smaller pieces.

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Bedload

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Material transported by a river along its bed through processes like saltation and traction.

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Channel Characteristics

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Features of the river channel, such as its shape and width, that influence water flow.

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Cross-sectional Area

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The area of the river channel as seen in a cross-section.

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Deposition

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The process by which a river drops its sediment load when it loses energy.

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Discharge

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The volume of water flowing past a point in the river channel per unit of time.

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Erosion

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The wearing away and removal of material from the river bed and banks.

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Gradient

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The slope of the river channel.