P1A 02 Glossary of Key Terms - River Geography

Bed

• The bottom of the river channel.

• The surface of the water

• The banks of the river

• The area where fish spawn

Wetted perimeter

• The total length of the bed and the banks that are in contact with the river.

• The distance from the water surface to the riverbank.

• The area of the riverbed that is submerged.

• The total length of the river from source to mouth.

Upper course

• The section of the river near its source, typically characterized by steep gradient and vertical erosion.

• The area where the river meets the sea, characterized by wide channels and sediment deposition.

• The middle section of the river, where the flow is moderate and lateral erosion occurs.

• The section of the river farthest from its source, characterized by slow flow and meandering.

Stream discharge

• The volume of water passing a given point over a set of time, measured in cubic metres per second (cumecs).

• The total amount of rainfall in a specific area over a month.

• The speed at which water flows in a river, measured in kilometers per hour.

• The amount of sediment carried by a river at a given time.

Channel

• Consists of the river bed and both banks.

• A type of water body that is wider than a river.

• An area where water is stored temporarily.

• A narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies.

Middle course

• The section of the river characterized by steep gradients and high erosion.

• The section of the river where the flow is slow and sediment is deposited.

• The section of the river between the upper and lower courses, characterized by decreasing gradient, both vertical and lateral erosion, and deposition.

• The section of the river that is primarily affected by human activities and urban development.

Banks

• The sides of the river channel.

• The financial institutions that manage money.

• The structures built to hold back water.

• The areas of land adjacent to a river.

Cross-sectional area

• The average width of the river multiplied by the average depth of the river, given in m².

• The total volume of water in the river at a given time, measured in cubic meters.

• The distance from one bank of the river to the other, measured in meters.

• The area of land surrounding the river, measured in square meters.

Bradshaw model

• A model that illustrates how various river characteristics change in the downstream direction.

• A model that explains the formation of deltas in rivers.

• A model that describes the impact of urbanization on river flow.

• A model that predicts the seasonal variations in river discharge.

Lower course

• The section of the river near its mouth, characterized by gentle gradient, dominant deposition, and wider, deeper channels.

• The upper part of the river where it flows quickly and has a steep gradient.

• The middle section of the river where it meanders and has a moderate gradient.

• The area where the river meets the ocean, often forming deltas.