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RIVERS
REVISION
 BOOKLET


  GCSE
GEOGRAPHY
Content                               Revised?
                       Rivers
The units and links in the hydrological cycle.

The storm hydrograph and how it responds to changes.

The river basin as a system of inputs, flows, stores and
outputs.

Physical causes of river flooding.

The activities of people that can cause river flooding.

Use of GIS, new technologies, satellite images, aerial
photographs and data in a variety of contexts to
highlight flood management schemes and their
effectiveness.

How weathering, erosion, transport and deposition
operate in a river basin.

The formation of fluvial landforms, including meanders,
interlocking spurs, floodplains, river cliffs, valleys,
waterfalls with appropriate examples.




                     Case study                            Named example
        Theme 1 Rivers and Coasts
A MEDC case study to illustrate the causes, effects and
management of river flooding.
A LEDC case study to illustrate the causes, effects and
management of river flooding.
A case study of one river valley and its landforms.
The River System/ Water Cycle




Fill in the boxes using these words:

       Air                  Condensation   Clouds     Precipitation
       Transpiration        Percolation    Groundwater Ocean
       Run-off              Evaporation




                               Drainage Basin Terminology
EXAM PRACTICE




1 Study the diagram which shows part of the hydrological cycle.

(a)(i) Name the processes labelled 1 and 2 in the diagram.   (2 marks)

  (ii) Describe the difference between processes A and B. (2 marks)

(b) Describe how the water vapour shown in the diagram becomes water on the
land at the point labelled 4.                             (3marks)

(c) Describe two stores of water in the hydrological cycle that are not labelled
in the diagram.                                              (4 marks)

(d)(i) Name the process labelled 6 in the diagram.           (1 mark)

  (ii) Suggest how the water moved by process 6 could end up in the sea.
                                                              (4 marks)
Match Up these Definitions
  (use the diagram on the previous page to help you if necessary)
Drainage basin                     a stream or smaller river which
                                    joins a larger stream or river
Catchment area                    the edge of highland surrounding
                                    a drainage basin. It marks the
                                   boundary between two drainage
                                                 basins
  Watershed                          the area of land drained by a
                                                  river
   Source                         the point where the river comes
                                  to the end, usually when entering
                                                 a sea
  Confluence                         - The beginning or start of a
                                                  river
  Tributary                          the area within the drainage
                                                 basin
    Mouth                          the point at which two rivers or
                                              streams join


                          River Profiles

                            A river changes shape as it flows from its source
                            (where a river starts) to its mouth (where a river
                            flows into a sea or lake).



                                                                    The shape of
                                                                    both the long
                                                                    profile (a slice
                                                                    through the
                                                                    river from
                                                                    source to
                                                                    mouth) and
                                                                    the cross
                                                                    profile (a slice
                                                                    across the
                                                                    river)
                                                                    changes.
Spot Test!

A slice through a river from source to mouth is called what?
            Long profile
            Cross profile
            Cross section
            Steep profile



A typical cross profile in the upper course will be:
            wide and deep.
            narrow and shallow.
            narrow and deep.
            wide and shallow.

                                               Erosion

Erosion involves the wearing away of rock and soil found along the river bed and banks. Erosion also
involves the breaking down of the rock particles being carried downstream by the river.

Match up the four main forms of river erosion

Hydraulic action                                  rocks carried along by the river wear down the river
                                                  bed and banks

Abrasion                                          soluble particles are dissolved into the river

Attrition                                         rocks being carried by the river smash together and
                                                  break into smaller, smoother and rounder particles

Solution                                          the force of the river against the banks can cause
                                                  air to be trapped in cracks and crevices. The
                                                  pressure weakens the banks and gradually wears it
                                                  away

Match up the four different river transport processes (use diagram on following page
only if you NEED to).

Solution                                          small pebbles and stones are bounced along the
                                                  river bed

Suspension                                        fine light material is carried along in the water

Saltation                                         large boulders and rocks are rolled along the river
                                                  bed

Traction                                          minerals are dissolved in the water and carried
                                                  along in solution
TRANSPORTATAION




Rivers need energy to transport material, and levels of energy change as the river moves from source
to mouth.

When energy levels are very high, large rocks and boulders can be transported. Energy levels
are usually higher near a river's source, when its course is steep and its valley narrow. Energy
levels rise even higher in times of flood.
When energy levels are low, only small particles can be transported (if any). Energy levels are
lowest when velocity drops as a river enters a lake or sea (at the mouth).




                  River Processes Test - Underline the correct answer

1. Which of the following is NOT a type of river erosion?

Solution or corrosion       Abrasion         Percolation   Hydraulic action   Attrition

2. When rocks and pebbles being carried by the river knock together and are broken
down to form smaller particles this is called:

Corrosion     Abrasion      Percolation      Hydraulic action    Attrition

3. When the force of the water being carried by the river wears away the bed and banks
this is called:

solution or corrosion       abrasion         percolation   hydraulic action   attrition
4. Which of the following statements about deposition is NOT correct?

Deposition is more common at the source of the river.

Deposition occurs when a river loses energy.

Deposition may occur when the river is shallow.

Deposition may occur when the volume of water decreases.

5. Erosion is vertical or downwards:

at the source of a river

at the mouth of a river

6. A wide river channel is formed:

at the source of a river

at the mouth of a river




                                        River Landforms
Upper-course river features include steep-sided V-shaped valleys, interlocking spurs, rapids,
waterfalls and gorges.

Middle-course river features include wider, shallower valleys, meanders, and oxbow lakes.

Lower-course river features include wide flat-bottomed valleys, floodplains and deltas.



                                   Upper Course Features
                                             As the river moves through the upper course it cuts
                                            downwards. The gradient here is steep and the river
                                            channel is narrow. Vertical erosion in this highland part of
                                            the river helps to create steep-sided V-shaped valleys,
                                            interlocking spurs, rapids, waterfalls and gorges.


                                            As the river erodes the landscape in the upper course,
                                            it winds and bends to avoid areas of hard rock. This
                                            creates interlocking spurs, which look a bit like the
                                            interlocking parts of a zip.
                                            When a river runs over alternating layers of hard and
                                            soft rock, rapids and waterfalls may form
Middle course features

Meanders

In the middle course the river has more energy and a high
volume of water. The gradient here is gentle and lateral
(sideways) erosion has widened the river channel. The river
channel has also deepened. A larger river channel means
there is less friction, so the water flows faster:

As the river erodes laterally, to the right side then the left
side, it forms large bends, and then horseshoe-like loops
called meanders.
The formation of meanders is due to both deposition and erosion and meanders gradually migrate
downstream.
The force of the water erodes and undercuts the river bank on the outside of the bend where water
flow has most energy due to decreased friction.
On the inside of the bend, where the river flow is slower, material is deposited, as there is more
friction.
Over time the horseshoe become tighter, until the ends become very close together. As the river
breaks through, eg during a flood when the river has a higher discharge and more energy, and the
ends join, the loop is cut-off from the main channel. The cut-off loop is called an oxbow lake.


                                       Lower course features

In the lower course, the river has a high volume and a large discharge. The river channel is now deep
and wide and the landscape around it is flat. However, as a river reaches the end of its journey, energy
levels are low and deposition takes place.


        Floodplains
        The river now has a wide floodplain. A floodplain is the area around a river that is covered in
        times of flood. A floodplain is a very fertile area due to the rich alluvium deposited by
        floodwaters. This makes floodplains a good place for agriculture. A build up of alluvium on the
        banks of a river can create levees, which raise the river bank.
        Deltas
        Deltas are found at the mouth of large rivers - for example, the Mississippi. A delta is formed
        when the river deposits its material faster than the sea can remove it. There are three main
        types of delta, named after the shape they create:
Hyrdrographs
Case Study – MEDC Case Study to illustrate the causes, effects and
                       management of river flooding

BOSCASTLE - The Boscastle Flood (Cornwall) on 16th August 2004

Why the flood risk?


Human Factors
        A bridge caused a blocking point until it gave way.
Physical Factors
        The cause was torrential rain, as over 1 months worth fell in just 3 hours.
        Warm moist air had moved in from the Atlantic and condensed into thunder clouds.
        The catchment area of Bodmin Moor was already saturated through earlier rainfall, so run-off was
        immediate.
        3 tributaries all converge above the village, and the steep slopes created a raging torrent.

Impacts
Social
       Whilst no people died, the flood caused serious problems in the small town.
       Bridges were washed away and over 80 cars were swept along, many of them were tourist’s cars who
       were parked at the head of the village.
Economic
       The unique witchcraft museum was totally lost.
       As many locals ran bed and breakfast businesses, their summer was ruined as it was over a year before
       they could re-open. Some had no insurance and never re-opened.
       The emergency services were over stretched and subsequently, the local council have had to spend huge
       sums of money introducing flood prevention schemes such as channel straightening and building holding
       dams (also called check dams).
       Over 20 houses were badly damage, with many being beyond repair.



                                        Managing the flood risks
   1. Channel modification – River Valency – widened and deepened so it can carry higher flows of water.
      Lower river bed by an average 0.75m. Widen river channel next to the Riverside Hotel; move back the
      patio and replace and extend the footbridge.
   2. Removal of large bridge that acted as a block for debris and the fast flowing water
   3. Encourage landowners to maintain vegetation cover on valley sides and remove any dead trees
   4. Form wide river channel upstream of the car park to create an area of slower flow where larger
      sediment will deposit and the river can spread out
Case Study – LEDC Case Study to illustrate the causes, effects and
                       management of river flooding

Bangladesh is a low lying country most of which lies on the delta of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna.


Why the flood risk?


Physical factors:
Sources of rivers are in Himalayas so snowmelt adds to the discharge during spring.


S Asia has a monsoon climate and experiences a wet season between May and September when low pressure and
winds blowing from SW across Bay of Bengal bring heavy rain to coastal regions.


Bangladesh also suffers from cyclones that bring high winds, heavy rainfall and storm surges.


Human Factors:
Urbanisation - the capital city Dhaka now has a population of more than 1 million people


Rapid deforestation in Himalayas has had a negative effect on rates of interception and evapotranspiration
resulting in more water reaching the rivers.


River management is difficult to implement in LEDCs. Average GDP per capita is around $300.


Population rely on subsistence agriculture to survive growing rice on rented plots of land so there is little
income from taxation for Government and Bangladesh relies heavily on foreign aid to finance large scale
development project which might help prevent floods.


In 2004 the monsoon season brought more rainfall than usual.


Impacts
Social impacts:
36 million people were made homeless


By mid September the death toll had risen to 800. People died as a result of disease because they had no
access to clean water.


Landless labourers and small farmers were the most severely affected in rural areas and in the urban areas it
was typically the slum dwellers squatting on poorly drained land who suffered the most.


Economic impacts:
Flood also caused serious damage to infrastructure – roads, bridges, embankments, railway lines, irrigation
systems
All domestic and internal flights had to be suspended during July


Road and rail links into Dhaka were severely affected


Value of damage was assessed as being in region of $2.2 billion of 4% of total GDP for 2004


Environmental impacts:
During July and August approximately 38% of the total land area was flooded including 800,000 ha of
agricultural land and Dhaka


Floods caused river bank erosion especially on embankment areas close to the main channels, soil erosion, water-
logging, water contamination


Responses
Short term responses
The government working with non-governmental organisations provided emergency relief: rice, clothing,
medicines, blankets and towels


In July the United Nations activated a disaster management team to coordinate the activities of the various
UN agencies. They supplied critical emergency supplies and conducted a ‘damage and needs assessment’ in
affected areas.


Bilateral aid from individual countries was directed to the UN team.


Self help schemes – local people worked together to rebuild their properties and communities.


Long – term responses
Long term responses to major floods are largely dependent on foreign aid from both official and unofficial
sources. Previous river management schemes implemented by foreigners and funded by aid have proved to be
inadequate. These schemes paid little attention to knowledge of rivers and many attempts at river management
failed


Recent small scale community based projects have resulted in lives being saved. Food shelters and early warning
systems have been successfully put in place.


Following the 2004 floods additional financial aid was granted for a period of 5 years. This was mainly in the
form of a loan from the World Bank to pay for repairs to infrastructure, water resource management and
education.


And the future?
Disaster preparedness is a key priority for the future. This includes flood management and improved water
resources. It is also planned that flood-resistant designs should be used in all social and economic
infrastructure projects
Why are the effects of river flooding usually greater in an LEDC than in an MEDC?

  1.   Less money to spend on tackling problems so less flood protection measures to prevent the same
       effects happening again.

  2. Difficult to get to affected area due to lack of transport links which would require plenty of money to
       improve road networks and other transport links
  3. People are attracted to living on fertile flood plains in LEDCs because farming is an important part of
       their economy and the alluvium (silt) deposited on the floodplain during floods is a very good and cheap
       fertiliser for crops.

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Rivers revision booklet

  • 1. RIVERS REVISION BOOKLET GCSE GEOGRAPHY
  • 2. Content Revised? Rivers The units and links in the hydrological cycle. The storm hydrograph and how it responds to changes. The river basin as a system of inputs, flows, stores and outputs. Physical causes of river flooding. The activities of people that can cause river flooding. Use of GIS, new technologies, satellite images, aerial photographs and data in a variety of contexts to highlight flood management schemes and their effectiveness. How weathering, erosion, transport and deposition operate in a river basin. The formation of fluvial landforms, including meanders, interlocking spurs, floodplains, river cliffs, valleys, waterfalls with appropriate examples. Case study Named example Theme 1 Rivers and Coasts A MEDC case study to illustrate the causes, effects and management of river flooding. A LEDC case study to illustrate the causes, effects and management of river flooding. A case study of one river valley and its landforms.
  • 3. The River System/ Water Cycle Fill in the boxes using these words: Air Condensation Clouds Precipitation Transpiration Percolation Groundwater Ocean Run-off Evaporation Drainage Basin Terminology
  • 4. EXAM PRACTICE 1 Study the diagram which shows part of the hydrological cycle. (a)(i) Name the processes labelled 1 and 2 in the diagram. (2 marks) (ii) Describe the difference between processes A and B. (2 marks) (b) Describe how the water vapour shown in the diagram becomes water on the land at the point labelled 4. (3marks) (c) Describe two stores of water in the hydrological cycle that are not labelled in the diagram. (4 marks) (d)(i) Name the process labelled 6 in the diagram. (1 mark) (ii) Suggest how the water moved by process 6 could end up in the sea. (4 marks)
  • 5. Match Up these Definitions (use the diagram on the previous page to help you if necessary) Drainage basin a stream or smaller river which joins a larger stream or river Catchment area the edge of highland surrounding a drainage basin. It marks the boundary between two drainage basins Watershed the area of land drained by a river Source the point where the river comes to the end, usually when entering a sea Confluence - The beginning or start of a river Tributary the area within the drainage basin Mouth the point at which two rivers or streams join River Profiles A river changes shape as it flows from its source (where a river starts) to its mouth (where a river flows into a sea or lake). The shape of both the long profile (a slice through the river from source to mouth) and the cross profile (a slice across the river) changes.
  • 6. Spot Test! A slice through a river from source to mouth is called what? Long profile Cross profile Cross section Steep profile A typical cross profile in the upper course will be: wide and deep. narrow and shallow. narrow and deep. wide and shallow. Erosion Erosion involves the wearing away of rock and soil found along the river bed and banks. Erosion also involves the breaking down of the rock particles being carried downstream by the river. Match up the four main forms of river erosion Hydraulic action rocks carried along by the river wear down the river bed and banks Abrasion soluble particles are dissolved into the river Attrition rocks being carried by the river smash together and break into smaller, smoother and rounder particles Solution the force of the river against the banks can cause air to be trapped in cracks and crevices. The pressure weakens the banks and gradually wears it away Match up the four different river transport processes (use diagram on following page only if you NEED to). Solution small pebbles and stones are bounced along the river bed Suspension fine light material is carried along in the water Saltation large boulders and rocks are rolled along the river bed Traction minerals are dissolved in the water and carried along in solution
  • 7. TRANSPORTATAION Rivers need energy to transport material, and levels of energy change as the river moves from source to mouth. When energy levels are very high, large rocks and boulders can be transported. Energy levels are usually higher near a river's source, when its course is steep and its valley narrow. Energy levels rise even higher in times of flood. When energy levels are low, only small particles can be transported (if any). Energy levels are lowest when velocity drops as a river enters a lake or sea (at the mouth). River Processes Test - Underline the correct answer 1. Which of the following is NOT a type of river erosion? Solution or corrosion Abrasion Percolation Hydraulic action Attrition 2. When rocks and pebbles being carried by the river knock together and are broken down to form smaller particles this is called: Corrosion Abrasion Percolation Hydraulic action Attrition 3. When the force of the water being carried by the river wears away the bed and banks this is called: solution or corrosion abrasion percolation hydraulic action attrition
  • 8. 4. Which of the following statements about deposition is NOT correct? Deposition is more common at the source of the river. Deposition occurs when a river loses energy. Deposition may occur when the river is shallow. Deposition may occur when the volume of water decreases. 5. Erosion is vertical or downwards: at the source of a river at the mouth of a river 6. A wide river channel is formed: at the source of a river at the mouth of a river River Landforms Upper-course river features include steep-sided V-shaped valleys, interlocking spurs, rapids, waterfalls and gorges. Middle-course river features include wider, shallower valleys, meanders, and oxbow lakes. Lower-course river features include wide flat-bottomed valleys, floodplains and deltas. Upper Course Features As the river moves through the upper course it cuts downwards. The gradient here is steep and the river channel is narrow. Vertical erosion in this highland part of the river helps to create steep-sided V-shaped valleys, interlocking spurs, rapids, waterfalls and gorges. As the river erodes the landscape in the upper course, it winds and bends to avoid areas of hard rock. This creates interlocking spurs, which look a bit like the interlocking parts of a zip. When a river runs over alternating layers of hard and soft rock, rapids and waterfalls may form
  • 9. Middle course features Meanders In the middle course the river has more energy and a high volume of water. The gradient here is gentle and lateral (sideways) erosion has widened the river channel. The river channel has also deepened. A larger river channel means there is less friction, so the water flows faster: As the river erodes laterally, to the right side then the left side, it forms large bends, and then horseshoe-like loops called meanders. The formation of meanders is due to both deposition and erosion and meanders gradually migrate downstream. The force of the water erodes and undercuts the river bank on the outside of the bend where water flow has most energy due to decreased friction. On the inside of the bend, where the river flow is slower, material is deposited, as there is more friction. Over time the horseshoe become tighter, until the ends become very close together. As the river breaks through, eg during a flood when the river has a higher discharge and more energy, and the ends join, the loop is cut-off from the main channel. The cut-off loop is called an oxbow lake. Lower course features In the lower course, the river has a high volume and a large discharge. The river channel is now deep and wide and the landscape around it is flat. However, as a river reaches the end of its journey, energy levels are low and deposition takes place. Floodplains The river now has a wide floodplain. A floodplain is the area around a river that is covered in times of flood. A floodplain is a very fertile area due to the rich alluvium deposited by floodwaters. This makes floodplains a good place for agriculture. A build up of alluvium on the banks of a river can create levees, which raise the river bank. Deltas Deltas are found at the mouth of large rivers - for example, the Mississippi. A delta is formed when the river deposits its material faster than the sea can remove it. There are three main types of delta, named after the shape they create:
  • 11. Case Study – MEDC Case Study to illustrate the causes, effects and management of river flooding BOSCASTLE - The Boscastle Flood (Cornwall) on 16th August 2004 Why the flood risk? Human Factors A bridge caused a blocking point until it gave way. Physical Factors The cause was torrential rain, as over 1 months worth fell in just 3 hours. Warm moist air had moved in from the Atlantic and condensed into thunder clouds. The catchment area of Bodmin Moor was already saturated through earlier rainfall, so run-off was immediate. 3 tributaries all converge above the village, and the steep slopes created a raging torrent. Impacts Social Whilst no people died, the flood caused serious problems in the small town. Bridges were washed away and over 80 cars were swept along, many of them were tourist’s cars who were parked at the head of the village. Economic The unique witchcraft museum was totally lost. As many locals ran bed and breakfast businesses, their summer was ruined as it was over a year before they could re-open. Some had no insurance and never re-opened. The emergency services were over stretched and subsequently, the local council have had to spend huge sums of money introducing flood prevention schemes such as channel straightening and building holding dams (also called check dams). Over 20 houses were badly damage, with many being beyond repair. Managing the flood risks 1. Channel modification – River Valency – widened and deepened so it can carry higher flows of water. Lower river bed by an average 0.75m. Widen river channel next to the Riverside Hotel; move back the patio and replace and extend the footbridge. 2. Removal of large bridge that acted as a block for debris and the fast flowing water 3. Encourage landowners to maintain vegetation cover on valley sides and remove any dead trees 4. Form wide river channel upstream of the car park to create an area of slower flow where larger sediment will deposit and the river can spread out
  • 12. Case Study – LEDC Case Study to illustrate the causes, effects and management of river flooding Bangladesh is a low lying country most of which lies on the delta of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Why the flood risk? Physical factors: Sources of rivers are in Himalayas so snowmelt adds to the discharge during spring. S Asia has a monsoon climate and experiences a wet season between May and September when low pressure and winds blowing from SW across Bay of Bengal bring heavy rain to coastal regions. Bangladesh also suffers from cyclones that bring high winds, heavy rainfall and storm surges. Human Factors: Urbanisation - the capital city Dhaka now has a population of more than 1 million people Rapid deforestation in Himalayas has had a negative effect on rates of interception and evapotranspiration resulting in more water reaching the rivers. River management is difficult to implement in LEDCs. Average GDP per capita is around $300. Population rely on subsistence agriculture to survive growing rice on rented plots of land so there is little income from taxation for Government and Bangladesh relies heavily on foreign aid to finance large scale development project which might help prevent floods. In 2004 the monsoon season brought more rainfall than usual. Impacts Social impacts: 36 million people were made homeless By mid September the death toll had risen to 800. People died as a result of disease because they had no access to clean water. Landless labourers and small farmers were the most severely affected in rural areas and in the urban areas it was typically the slum dwellers squatting on poorly drained land who suffered the most. Economic impacts: Flood also caused serious damage to infrastructure – roads, bridges, embankments, railway lines, irrigation systems
  • 13. All domestic and internal flights had to be suspended during July Road and rail links into Dhaka were severely affected Value of damage was assessed as being in region of $2.2 billion of 4% of total GDP for 2004 Environmental impacts: During July and August approximately 38% of the total land area was flooded including 800,000 ha of agricultural land and Dhaka Floods caused river bank erosion especially on embankment areas close to the main channels, soil erosion, water- logging, water contamination Responses Short term responses The government working with non-governmental organisations provided emergency relief: rice, clothing, medicines, blankets and towels In July the United Nations activated a disaster management team to coordinate the activities of the various UN agencies. They supplied critical emergency supplies and conducted a ‘damage and needs assessment’ in affected areas. Bilateral aid from individual countries was directed to the UN team. Self help schemes – local people worked together to rebuild their properties and communities. Long – term responses Long term responses to major floods are largely dependent on foreign aid from both official and unofficial sources. Previous river management schemes implemented by foreigners and funded by aid have proved to be inadequate. These schemes paid little attention to knowledge of rivers and many attempts at river management failed Recent small scale community based projects have resulted in lives being saved. Food shelters and early warning systems have been successfully put in place. Following the 2004 floods additional financial aid was granted for a period of 5 years. This was mainly in the form of a loan from the World Bank to pay for repairs to infrastructure, water resource management and education. And the future? Disaster preparedness is a key priority for the future. This includes flood management and improved water resources. It is also planned that flood-resistant designs should be used in all social and economic infrastructure projects
  • 14. Why are the effects of river flooding usually greater in an LEDC than in an MEDC? 1. Less money to spend on tackling problems so less flood protection measures to prevent the same effects happening again. 2. Difficult to get to affected area due to lack of transport links which would require plenty of money to improve road networks and other transport links 3. People are attracted to living on fertile flood plains in LEDCs because farming is an important part of their economy and the alluvium (silt) deposited on the floodplain during floods is a very good and cheap fertiliser for crops.