Long & Cross Profiles - GCSE Rivers

Where does a river start?

• Mouth

• Source

• Confluence

• Tributary

What is a long profile?

• A line representing the river from its source to its mouth.

• A line from one river bank to another

• The point where a river starts

• An area of land drained by a river and its tributaries.

What are the characteristics of the upper course of a river?

• Wide, deep channel

• Shallow, narrow channel

• Widest, deepest channel

• All of the above

Identify the characteristics of the middle course of a river.

• Medium gradient, gently sloping valley sides with a wider, deeper channel.

• Gentle gradient, very wide, almost flat valley, very wide and deep river channel.

• Steep gradient, v-shaped valley, steep sides and narrow, shallow channel.

Where is vertical erosion the most dominant along the long profile of a river?

• Upper course

• Middle course

• Lower course

Why is vertical erosion most dominant in the upper course of a river?

• High turbulence causes the rough, angular particles transported by the river to be scraped along the riverbed, causing intense downwards erosion.

• The discharge is highest here causing intense erosion.

• The velocity of the water is highest here causing intense erosion.

What feature is this?

• Waterfall

• Confluence

• Mouth

• Estuary

Select all the features you might find at the mid-course of a river?

• Meanders

• Ox-bow lakes

• Floodplains

• Levees

• Waterfalls

A small stream joining a river is called a ...

• Channel

• Basin

• Source

• Tributary

Where two rivers meet is called a ...

• Source

• Watershed

• Confluence

• Basin