RIVERS

LOWER COURSE

Mrs. Trim
Define and Explain the formation
of Features of the Lower Course
Levees

Deltas

Braided Channels

Flood Plains

Estuaries
 5

4.5

3.5

3 LEVEE
2.5

2 A raised river bank

1.5

0.5

0
Bulb Seed Transplant

Series 1 Series 2 Series 3

Derwent at Cromford Meadows, UK

 How are Levees
5 formed?
4.5
Levees occur in the lower course of a river
4
when there is an increase in the volume of
3.5 water flowing downstream and flooding
occurs.
3

2.5
When a flood occurs, the river loses energy.
The largest material is deposited first on
2 the sides of the river banks and smaller
material further away.
1.5

1 After many floods, the sediment builds up

to increase the height of the river banks,
0.5 meaning that the channel can carry more
0
water (a greater discharge) and flooding is
Bulb Seed Transplant less likely to occur in the future. These
raised river banks are called Levees
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3

Source: BBC Bitesize

 DELTAS
A Delta is an area of low, flat land at the mouth of a river,
where the river divides into several smaller channels before it
reaches the sea. It is often shaped like a fan or triangle. There
are three types of deltas: Arcuate, Cuspate and Bird’s foot.

Arcuate Bird’s Foot

Cuspate
Nile Delta, Egypt
 How are Deltas formed
1. Deltas form as rivers empty their water and sediment into
another body of water, such as an ocean, lake,

4. Continued deposition of sediments 2. When a river reaches a

through the distributaries builds up lake or sea the water slows
the delta over time. (Source- Bleasdell down and deposition occurs
S.)

3. When the sea has a small tidal

range and weak currents sediments
accumulate. Accumulated
sediments
rise up above the water level,
separating the main channel into
smaller distributaries which empty
into the lake/sea
 5

FLOOD PLAIN
4.5

3.5

3 A Flat area of land next to the

2.5
river that is covered with water
2
during a flood. It is made up of
1.5
alluvium deposits and stretches
from the river banks to the valley
1
edges.
0.5

0
Bulb Seed Transplant

Series 1 Series 2 Series 3

The Yellow River winds through the plains of Sichuan, China

 How are Flood Plains
5 formed?
4.5
In the lower course as the river
4
valley becomes wider due to
3.5 meandering, flat areas are created
3 on both sides of the river.
2.5
During a flood a river overflows its’
2
banks carrying sediments with it.
1.5

1 The finer materials are deposited

0.5
further away and the larger material
are deposited nearer to the channel
0
Bulb Seed Transplant

Series 1 Series 2 Series 3

This creates a wide flood plain.
 5

4.5

3.5 BRAIDED
3
CHANNELS
2.5

2
These are wide rivers that
1.5
are composed of multiple
1
channels that divide and
0.5
rejoin around deposits of
0
Bulb Seed Transplant sediment called eyots.
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3

Brahmaputra River, Asia Elaho River, British Colombia

 How are Braided
5 Channels formed?
4.5

4
1. The river has a high sediment
load of boulders, gravel and sand.
3.5

3 2. These sediments are deposited

2.5
within the channel creating bars and
islands within the river channel.
2

1.5 bars 3. The river now divides into smaller

1
channels that separate and rejoin
around the bars and islands (eyots).
0.5
Islands
0 4. It is important to note that these
Bulb Seed Transplant
eyots can shift and change over time
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 as the water flow and sediment load
changes.
 An estuary is an area where a freshwater river or stream
meets the ocean. When freshwater and seawater combine, the
water becomes brackish, or slightly salty.
 Estuary

1. As Sea level rise:

seawater moves up
into river valleys.
2. At the River
mouth: sediments
are deposited by the
river

3. Where the River meets the

Ocean: Tides push sea water back
and forth. Rivers deposit sediments
Parker River meets the Atlantic Ocean, National and freshwater. An Estuary is
Wildlife Refuge, Massachusetts formed. It has a rich biodiversity.
THE END
patricetrim@gmail.com