Revision of Rivers

By Alex McCormick, Dom Brundler, Robert Rossiter and George Zeng

The Specification

• The AQA specification is on the next two slides.• It is split into two main sections:

o Firstly, a section about processes and landforms.o Secondly, a section about the interaction between humans

and rivers. (Effects of flooding and strategies to prevent flooding etc)

• The final column in the specification is scale. R/L means you need to talk on a regional and local scale, R/L/N means you need to talk on a regional, local and national scale.

Specification Guidance Scale

The earth's crust ismodified by fluvialprocesses which resultin distinctivelandforms.

Long and cross profiles, processes of erosion (hydraulic power, corrosion, corrasion, attrition), transport (traction, saltation, suspension, solution) anddeposition.   The characteristics and formation of waterfalls, gorges, meanders, ox-bow lakes, levees, flood plains and deltas.  Recognise and describe fluvial features on Ordnance Survey maps and photographs.

How a river profile changes downstream and therelative importance of the processes at work suchas the typical V shaped valley in the upper coursewhere vertical corrasion dominates.  Students will be expected to be able to name anexample, describe each feature and to explain itsformation making reference to the processes atwork. There is an opportunity in this section to revisethe OS skills as on page 37 as well as to introducephotographic interpretation etc.

  R/L         R/L       R/L

Specification Guidance Scale

The interactionbetween people andfluvial environments. 

River basin management issues, the causes and effects of flooding in river basins in the context of both LEDCs and MEDCs.  The short, medium and long term strategies used to attempt to manage the floods. Contemporary issues concerning use of hard vs soft strategies and attempts to achieve sustainability. The social, economic, environmental and political issues that have an impact upon strategies and the values and attitudes of interested groups. 

River basin management issues should be studied in the context of both LEDCs eg. Bangladesh and MEDCs eg. the European floods of the 1990s. One case study from the MEDC and LEDC should be chosen to study the physical and human causes of flooding and the impact of the floods. TV news is a good source of up to date information. Flood management should include efforts toprevent flooding and strategies used to ameliorate the impact. Candidates should be aware of how and why the methods used are different between the LEDC and MEDC and now currently there is a move away from hard engineering e.g. dams on the Colorado to softer approaches e.g. flood plain zoning, improved warning system. Opportunities to use ICT to research flooddisasters.

  R/L            N/R/L

River Basin BasicsPage 32

• Rivers begin at the source, and end at the mouth.

• Tributaries are smaller rivers which join the main river.

• The area of water at which the two rivers join is called a confluence.

• The area drained by the river and its tributaries is called the drainage basin.

• The space in which the water flows (unless the river floods) is called the channel.

Processes of ErosionPage 34

There are four processes by which a river erodes.However, these are exactly the same as the four processes used in coastal erosion.

• Hydraulic power is simply the force of the water on the bed and banks of the river removing material. It is particularly powerful during floods.

• Corrasion/Abrasion involves particles of sand, pebbles and boulders that are carried by the river rubbing against the river bed and banks, wearing them away.

• Corrosion is when rock minerals from the bed and banks dissolve into the river water, due to its slight acidity.

• Attrition involves the river's load colliding against itself, breaking into smaller, rounder pieces of rock, until they are reduced to particles of sand and silt.

Transportation of MaterialPage 34

• Traction - Large boulders roll along the river bed.• Saltation - Smaller pebbles bounce along the river bed, picked

up by the flow of the river.• Suspension - Fine sand and silt-sized particles are carried

along in the flow, giving the river a brown appearance.• Solution - Minerals (eg limestone and chalk) are dissolved in

the water and carried along with the flow

A river carries more material if: the volume of water is greater, the velocity of the water is greater, and the local rock types are more easily eroded.

When a river loses energy (due to lower velocity, higher friction with the land etc) it will drop some of its load, causing deposition. The dropped load is called alluvium. The heavier rocks are always dropped first.

Upper Course:• Lots of vertical erosion, minimal lateral erosion.• V-shaped valley, steep gradient.• Rapids and Waterfalls.• Used for rough grazing (sheep farming), tourism and dams.

Middle Course:• About equal amounts of vertical and lateral erosion.• Flat valley floor, but sloping valley sides.• Meanders.• Used for fields for crops and animals. Villages and

communication lines can be found alongside it.Lower Course:• Minimal vertical erosion, lots of lateral erosion.• Wide, flat, U-shaped valley and large flood plain.• Ox-bow lakes, Levées, Deltas.• Used for intensive farming, industry, and towns, cities and ports

built on the flood plain.

Overview of a River's CoursePage 33

Waterfalls and GorgesPage 35

• Waterfalls form when a band of resistant rock lies over a band of softer, less resistant rock.

• The softer rock is eroded more quickly through abrasion and hydraulic power than the harder, overlying cap rock.

• This causes an overhang to form, which eventually collapses from the weight above it, creating a steep drop.

• A deep plunge pool will form at the bottom of the waterfall, and the water will continue to erode the soft rock through hydraulic power and abrasion creating another overhang. • Over time, the waterfall will recede due

to repeated formation and collapse of overhangs, creating a steep-sided gorge of recession.

MeandersPage 36

• Meanders are bends in the river's course.

 • On the outside of a meander the

water is deeper and the current flows faster. On the inside of the bend the water is slack and the current is less strong.

 • This means erosion by corrasion etc

occurs on the outside of the meander, creating steep river cliffs. On the inside of the meander there is deposition of sand and pebbles creating a gentle slip-off slope.

 • The lateral erosion on the outside

bend widens the valley floor.

 

• As the river flows downstream the meanders become larger and wider, and the erosion and deposition causes them to gradually migrate downstream.

 • This creates a line of river cliffs along

the edge of the valley floor.

 

Ox-bow LakesPage 37

• Ox-bow lakes form in the lower course of a river because the river meanders more vigourously.

 • Continued erosion (by corrasion etc)

on the outside bend causes the neck of the meander to narrow. Eventually the neck is broken through to form a straight channel. This often happens during floods when the river is very powerful.

 • Continued deposition causes the old

meander to be sealed off. • Gradually the ox-bow lake will dry

out, forming a meander scar.  

 

The Flood PlainPage 37

• The flood plain is the wide, flat area of land either side of the river in its lower course. It is formed by both deposition and erosion.

• Lateral erosion causing meanders, and the slow migration of the meanders downstream, widen the flood plain.

• Deposition on the slip-off slopes provides sediment which builds up the valley floor.

• This is especially effective during flooding, when the water spills out of the channel onto the flood plain. 

• The increased friction with the land causes the energy and speed of the water to decrease, meaning the water deposits a large amount of its load onto the flood plain as alluvium.

LevéesPage 38

• Levées are tall natural embankments of silt along the banks of the river.

• Levées begin to form when a river floods. The increased friction between the water and the land causes the water to lose energy and deposit alluvium.

• Heavier material is deposited closest to the river bank, and finer material is deposited further away.

• After many floods, the alluvium on either side of the river will have built up, forming natural levées.

• Artificial levées can also be created to prevent flooding.

DeltasPages 38

/ 39• Deltas form at the mouth of a river.

They are flat, fan-shaped areas of silt and sand built into the sea.

• They are formed by deposition. When a river enters the sea carrying a large load, the velocity falls and so the load is deposited.

• Deltas only form in sheltered seas with no strong tides or currents that would wash the sediments away. This is why there are no large deltas on the coasts of Britain.

• For a delta to form, the river must also be carrying a large load, so the rocks the river passes over upstream must be easily eroded.

• There is a large delta at the mouth of the River Rhône in southern France, where it flows into the Mediterranean sea.

• The deposition of sand and silt has caused the river to split into 2 distributaries, the Grand Rhône and the Petit Rhône. Deltas forming along the banks form the delta.

• Areas of water are trapped by spits and bars, forming lagoons. These  eventually dry up and become colonised with vegetation, extending the delta even further.

CASE STUDY

The Rhône DeltaPage 39

CASE STUDY

Satellite Image of the Rhône Delta

• The River Tees is a river in north-east England.

• The source is 893m above sea level in the Pennines.

• Rainfall is over 2000mm a year.

• Cross section: V-shaped, steep sides. Valley has long profile and steep gradient.

• River is turbulent, clear, but sometimes stained brown by peat. 

River Tees: Upland AreasCASE STUDY

Page 40

River Tees: High ForceCASE STUDY

Page 40

• In the uplands, river bed is rocky and there are many rapids and waterfalls.

• High Force is highest waterfall in England.

• Cap rock made out of hard, resistant igneous rock - whinstone.

• Below, rock made out of sandstone and shingle.

• Overhang created on cap rock due to rock underneath being eroded quickly.

River Tees: Upper Course Land UsesCASE STUDY

Page 41

Settlement and Communications:• The lack of flat land makes it difficult to build settlements and

communications.

• Population density is very low because of few employment opportunities.

• Mainly just small villages and farms on the moorlands.

Water Supply:• Water quality is very high in the valley, and is suitable as

drinking water for homes and industry.

• High rainfall gives reliable water supply.

• There are reservoirs for water supply and flood control.

Sheep Farming:• One of the major land uses is

rough grazing for sheep.

• Land is unsuitable for crops, due to steep sides and soil too thin/acidic.

• Where slopes are less steep, occasional crop is grown with the help of fertilizers. Dairy cattle may also be grazed.

Tourism:• Many visitors to the area are

attracted to the open moorland, High Force, nature trails, footpaths, villages and more.

• Visitors provide employment and income to the local people - hotels, restuarants, visitor centres.

• But tourism also brings congestion, litter, overcrowding etc.

River Tees: Upper Course Land UsesCASE STUDY

Page 41

River Tees: Upper Course Land UsesCASE STUDY

Page 41

Industry:• The upper course once had

a lead mining industry, now the disused mines are attractive to visitors.

• Limited employment in forestry and various craft industries. No real large-scale industry.

• Whinstone quarried, a chemical and pharmaceuticals company is also located in the upper course.

CASE STUDY

Page 42

In the Lower Course:• The river widens and starts

to meander.• More settlements and

bridging points can be found.

• There are many meanders, several were cut during 19th Century to shorten river for boats navigating upstream.

• River flows into the estuary where there are large areas of mud flats - important for wildlife.

River Tees: Upland Areas

• The lower course is more urbanised and industrialised.

• Industries such as steelworks and chemical works are located near Teesside.

• Industry in Teesside is well placed to receive oil and gas from fields in the North Sea.

• Heavy industry takes advantage of flat and relatively cheap land.

• Land is easily reclaimed and there is a good source of labour and a good transport network nearby.

• The port allows import of raw materials and export of finished goods.

CASE STUDY

Page 42

River Tees: Upland Areas

• It stores water when there is lots of water and it releases water in times of low-flow.

CASE STUDY

Page 42River Tees: River Basin Management

• The river has long history of flooding. There is also a large population and many industries all requiring a water supply.

• The river is managed in order to control flooding and to increase its potential for tourism/recreation.

• Cow Green Reservoir was built in 1970 to provide water supply for industries as well as to regulate river flow.

The Tees Barrage increases water quality and recreational value of lower Tees.• The water is fresher and

cleaner as it does not mix with tidal salt water.

• The barrage also reduces risk of flooding at high tide or during storm surge.

• The barrage has acted as a catalyst for investments in building offices, houses etc.

CASE STUDY

Page 43River Tees: Lower Valley Management

Dredging the Channel: • Improves navigation by

maintaining a deep-water channel.

• There has also been some dredging in the upper parts of the estuary to reduce the flood risk.

Cutting Meanders:• Stretches of the river have

been artificially straightened, this allows the water to move faster along the channel, reducing the flood risk.

Yarm's Flood Defence Scheme:

• The town of Yarm is inside bend of large meander, so it is prone to flooding.

• £2.1 million defence system was built: Reinforced concrete walls with flood gates for people and vehicles, earth embankments, gabions to protect walls/ embankments from erosion.

• The scheme incorporates features designed to reduce the visual impact of walls e.g. fishing platforms, planting trees.

• There have also been better flood warning systems.

• Also, to prevent damage, building on low-lying and flood-prone land is discouraged.

CASE STUDY

Page 43River Tees: Lower Valley Management

• River regime is the variation of discharge (cubic metres per second passing a certain point in the river) throughout the year.

 • An even regime has little

variation throughout the year.

 

• Snow melt during summer or high summer rainfall causes a summer maximum of discharge.

 • Higher rainfall in winter

(e.g. in Britain) causes a winter maximum of discharge.

Page 44

River Regimes

An example of a winter maximum of discharge for the River Severn.

Page 44

River Regimes

• Flooding occurs in the lower course of a river, creating a flood plain.

Flooding can be caused by: • Long continuous periods of

rainfall,• A cloudburst in a

thunderstorm causing large amounts of run-off,

• Sudden increases in temperature melting snow/ice left over from winter.

Human activities also affect flooding: 

• Urbanisation leaves concrete surfaces impermeable to water, increasing surface run-off,

• Deforestation decreases interception by the trees,

• Occasional disasters such as burst dams occur.

Page 44

Flooding

Flood Prevention

There are many ways that flooding can be prevented or their effects reduced:

• Rivers beds can be dredged and levées can be artificially heightened.

• Dams and reservoirs provide a source of water storage that can be easily controlled.

• Planting trees increases the amount of interception.

• Straightening meanders increases the flow of water through a stretch of river, reducing the risk of flooding.

• Flood warning systems warn people in advance that a flood is likely, giving time to prepare for the flood (e.g. sandbags).

• Land use zonation locates pastures and crops closer to a river, with settlement  located further away, reducing the risk of flooding to homes.

Page 45

• A flood hydrograph shows discharge over a period of time.

• During rainfall, very little water directly falls into the river. The rising limb is where surface run-off and throughflow of water through the soil first reach the river, causing discharge to rise.

• The falling limb is where discharge starts to fall due to the rainfall having finished, so surface run-off and throughflow are reduced.

• The lag time is the time between the peak rainfall and the peak discharge - a river with a short lag time and high peak discharge is more likely to flood than one with a long lag time and low peak discharge.

Page 45

Flood Hydrographs

Page 45

Flood Hydrographs

This hydrograph shows the rising limb, falling limb and lag time.

Page 46

Mississippi Floods - Spring/Summer 1993

• The floods were caused by high snow melt in the spring followed by 50 days of heavy rain. The area affected was larger than the area of Britain.

• The US Corps of Engineers work to reduce flood risk in the USA. They had previously built revetments; dredged the river bed and straightened meanders.

 • However, raised concrete levées

failed, causing sudden flooding that would have been more gradual had there been no artificial levées in the first place.

Effects of the flooding:• 28 people died,• 36,000 lost their homes,

thousands were evacuated, • Communication lines, road,

railway and electricity lines were damaged, 

• 6 million acres of maize crops were ruined, 

• Silt and sand deposits needed to be cleared afterwards, 

• US $10 billion were needed to repair the damage.

CASE STUDY

This shows the extent of the flooding compared to the normal view of the river Mississippi.

CASE STUDY

Page 46

Page 230

Flooding in an LEDC - Bangladesh

• Bangladesh is a country situated on the delta formed by the Ganges, Meghna and Bhahmaputra rivers. As a result, it commonly faces cyclones and flooding.

Advantages of Flooding: • One third of the country's cropland

is flooded every year, renewing the fertile thicknesses of silt.

• The watery environment provides perfect conditions for two main crops - rice (for food) and jute (for export).

• Farmers regard 'normal' flooding as beneficial to soil and crops.

CASE STUDY

Disadvantages of Flooding: • Hurricane force winds from

cyclones cause coastal flooding.• Heavy monsoon rains cause river

flooding.• Almost the entire country has a

flood risk due to being below 10m above sea level.

• Crops are destroyed, people are killed and millions left homeless.

• Outbreaks of typhoid and cholera are caused by contaminated drinking water supplies.

• Sept. 1998 saw the worst flooding in modern history.

• Flood waters covered 300,000 houses; 9,700km of roads; 2,700km of embankment.

• 1,000 people were killed and 30 million left homeless.

• Approximately two thirds of the country were covered.

• Unusually high monsoon rains, high melt water from the Himalayas and deforestation (i.e. reduced interception) caused this severe flooding.

Page 230

Flooding in an LEDC - BangladeshCASE STUDY

This shows the extent of the devastation caused during the flooding of Bangladesh.

• This section deals with the type of exam questions you are likely to face in the exam.

• The questions follow an incline of difficulty, meaning that the questions get harder as you go through the paper.

• This means you really need to be getting full marks on the early, easier questions, so you can afford to drop a couple on the harder questions. 

Exam Questions

• For rivers, the first, lower level questions will be simple one word answers.

• You may be asked to label or name features on a map or diagram.

• The next questions will involve explaining the formation of a river feature.

• To get full marks, you will need to explain the formation mentioning processes involved. It may be useful to include an annotated diagram. You can get marks for these.

• Formation of all the common river features is described on slides 9-14.

• Normally these questions are worth six marks, so make at least six points!

• The highest level questions normally always involve man's relationship with rivers.

• You may be asked to describe the causes or effects of flooding, in either MEDCs or LEDCS. So you must know the case studies on slides 32-35!

• Alternatively, the question could focus on land use in different river areas, or flood prevention techniques. Again the case study from slides 16-25 will be necessary here.

Exam Questions

• These are typically 6 mark questions, although they are quite often split into one two-mark question and one four-mark question.

Useful Links• Google DOCS Rivers Presentation

          http://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AR1HXwI-HCvcZGRyOHQ1dG5fMTVndHQ2ZnhydA&hl=en

 • GCSE Bitesize for River Landscapes and Processes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/riverswater/

 • AQA Specification

         http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/pdf/AQA-3031-3036-W-SP-10.PDF

 • AQA Geography A menu; you can select Past Papers,

Examiners Reports and Additional Materials http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/geo_landt/current/geography_a_materials.php?id=09&prev=09&tabid=2

 • Pupilvision Sites

         http://www.pupilvision.co.uk/ (Factbook), http://www.pupilvision.com/