P1A 02 Glossary of Key Terms - River Geography

Front

Bed

Back

The bottom of the river channel.

Front

Banks

Back

The sides of the river channel.

Front

Channel

Back

Consists of the river bed and both banks.

Front

Wetted perimeter

Back

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

Front

Cross-sectional area

Back

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

Front

Stream discharge

Back

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

Front

Stream efficiency

Back

The ability of a stream to move water along.

Front

Hydraulic radius

Back

Calculated by dividing the cross-sectional area by the wetted perimeter.

Front

Channel bed roughness

Back

Depends on the type of material on the channel bed and influences friction and streamflow.

Front

Upper course

Back

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