River Features found in the Upper Course - This is the part of the river closest

to the source. The gradient is steep. The river is small and flows quickly.
V-shaped valleys: The river flows quickly cutting down
into its bed. This process is known as vertical erosion. Vshaped valleys: The river flows quickly cutting down into
its bed. This process is known as vertical erosion. It
Gorges: As a waterfall retreats upstream, it leaves
behind a narrow steep sided feature known as a gorge.
Gorges can also be formed in other ways.
Interlocking spurs
As the river meanders around obstacles, erosion is
concentrated on the outside of the bends. At the same
time, vertical erosion is taking place. The result is ridges
of high land which project toward the river decreasing in
height toward the river which alternate on either side of
the river and are called interlocking spurs.
Rapids: At rapids, a river flows very fast down a steep
slope. The river bed is rough and rocks are exposed at
the surface. There may be alternating bands of hard and
soft rocks which cause an uneven river bed. These
conditions create a zone of turbulent water called
Waterfalls: When a river plunges vertically over a rock
face, the result is a waterfall. Waterfalls are formed in
several ways, for example, a river may plunge over the
edge of a plateau. It is common for waterfalls to form
where a river crosses a band of hard rock or resistant
rock.