Describing river features on Describing river features on mapsmaps

“Describe the main features “Describe the main features of a river of a river and it’s valley”and it’s valley”

Valley shapeValley shape

V Shaped valley formed by vertical erosion by the river

River runs through a U shaped valley formed by a glacier

River width, depth and River width, depth and tributariestributaries• River flows from NW to SERiver flows from NW to SE• Two major tributaries join Two major tributaries join

at 977 152at 977 152• River is at 94m high in a River is at 94m high in a

wide valleywide valley• River is wide and River is wide and

meandersmeanders• River is in middle courseRiver is in middle course• There are meanders at There are meanders at

965 522 with river 965 522 with river beaches and river cliffsbeaches and river cliffs

WaterfallsWaterfalls• Waterfalls are named on the map. Waterfalls are named on the map.

You should give a grid referenceYou should give a grid reference

Ox Bow LakeOx Bow Lake• Look for horse Look for horse

shoe shaped shoe shaped lakes on the lakes on the lower course. lower course. Give a grid Give a grid referencereference

MeandersMeanders• Note the river features on the Note the river features on the

meander. Remember to mention the meander. Remember to mention the meander as a river featuremeander as a river feature

River cliff

River beach

Flood plainFlood plain• Note the width of the valley and the Note the width of the valley and the

height and slope of the land. height and slope of the land. Remember to mention the flood plain Remember to mention the flood plain as a featureas a feature

LeveesLevees

Tidal riversTidal rivers• Tidal rivers have Tidal rivers have

black edges. This black edges. This shows they are shows they are near the sea. You near the sea. You should mention should mention this in any answer.this in any answer.

Features of depositionFeatures of deposition• You should mention You should mention

sandbanks and sandbanks and marshes as evidence marshes as evidence that the river is in that the river is in the lower course.the lower course.

• Note the height and Note the height and flat flood plain.flat flood plain.

The mouth of the riverThe mouth of the river• The mouth of the river is where it The mouth of the river is where it

meets the seameets the sea

Describe the River Cree and Describe the River Cree and it’s valleyit’s valley