Introduction to River Systems

• Velocity and discharge• Length and gradient• Channel and floodplain development• Drainage area• Sediment yield

River Velocity

River Discharge• Volume rate of water flow through a cross-

sectional area• Units of m3/s (cubic meters per second) or ft3/s

(cubic feet per second or cfs)

River Gradient

LongitudinalProfile:

Cross-sectionalProfiles:

Channel and Floodplain Development

Drainage Area

Sediment Yield

• Total sediment exported from a drainage basin to the continental margin

• Volume or weight of sediment per unit area of drainage basin