GCSE AQA Rivers

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Geography

10th

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51 Terms

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Source
The place where a river starts, usually in an area of highland.
The place where a river starts, usually in an area of highland.
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Mouth
The place where the river ends, where it meets the sea.
The place where the river ends, where it meets the sea.
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Watershed
An area of highland which separates 2 drainage basins, it marks the boundary between them.
An area of highland which separates 2 drainage basins, it marks the boundary between them.
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Tributary
A smaller river which joins a larger river.
A smaller river which joins a larger river.
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Confluence
The point at which 2 rivers meet.
The point at which 2 rivers meet.
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Catchment
The area where water drains into a drainage basin.
The area where water drains into a drainage basin.
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Drainage basin
The area of land drained by a river.
The area of land drained by a river.
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Surface run-off
When water flows over a hard surface (e.g. a river)
When water flows over a hard surface (e.g. a river)
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Condensation
When a gas cools and turns into a liquid. This forms clouds at high altitudes.
When a gas cools and turns into a liquid. This forms clouds at high altitudes.
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Transpiration
When plants release water vapour from their bodies (or more specifically the stomata in their leaves).
When plants release water vapour from their bodies (or more specifically the stomata in their leaves).
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Precipitation
The fancy word for rain, sleet, snow, hail etc
The fancy word for rain, sleet, snow, hail etc
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Evaporation
When a liquid turns to a gas and rises.
When a liquid turns to a gas and rises.
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The Hydrological (Water) Cycle
This cycle shows how water moves between the land, seas and atmosphere via precipitation, evaporation etc
This cycle shows how water moves between the land, seas and atmosphere via precipitation, evaporation etc
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Discharge
The volume of water in the river, measured in cumecs (m3/sec).
The volume of water in the river, measured in cumecs (m3/sec).
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Upper course
This is the name given to the start of a river's journey, here it is small, youthful and full of energy.
This is the name given to the start of a river's journey, here it is small, youthful and full of energy.
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V-Shaped valleys
These are features formed in the upper course of a river due to downwards erosion. The characteristic shape of these features gives the name.
These are features formed in the upper course of a river due to downwards erosion. The characteristic shape of these features gives the name.
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Interlocking spurs
These are features formed in the upper course of the river as it flows downhill and winds its way between more and less resistant rock.
These are features formed in the upper course of the river as it flows downhill and winds its way between more and less resistant rock.
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High Force, River Tees
This is the name of the largest waterfall in the UK and the river which creates it.
This is the name of the largest waterfall in the UK and the river which creates it.
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Waterfalls
These are features formed in the upper course of a river when it flows over two types of rock with different resistances. The less resistant rock is cut back more quickly than the more resistant rock and a plunge pool is formed. These retreat upstream when the soft rock is eroded away, creating overhangs which collapse due to gravity.
These are features formed in the upper course of a river when it flows over two types of rock with different resistances. The less resistant rock is cut back more quickly than the more resistant rock and a plunge pool is formed. These retreat upstream when the soft rock is eroded away, creating overhangs which collapse due to gravity.
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Plunge pool
This is a feature formed at the bottom of a waterfall, it is created by the force of the water hitting the riverbed. It is deepened by corrasion between the boulders.
This is a feature formed at the bottom of a waterfall, it is created by the force of the water hitting the riverbed. It is deepened by corrasion between the boulders.
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Steep-sided gorge
This is a feature left behind when a waterfall retreats upstream.
This is a feature left behind when a waterfall retreats upstream.
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Vertical erosion
This is the type of erosion that occurs mostly in the upper course of a river, after it has used most of its energy to overcome the force of friction.
This is the type of erosion that occurs mostly in the upper course of a river, after it has used most of its energy to overcome the force of friction.
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Lateral erosion
This is the type of erosion that occurs mainly in the lower course of a river, it is erosion in a sideways direction.
This is the type of erosion that occurs mainly in the lower course of a river, it is erosion in a sideways direction.
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Middle course
This is the middle section of the river's journey.
This is the middle section of the river's journey.
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Meanders
Bends in the river that occur in the middle course.
Bends in the river that occur in the middle course.
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River beach/slip-off slope
This is a feature formed on the inside bend of a meander due to deposition (due to low velocity and high friction).
This is a feature formed on the inside bend of a meander due to deposition (due to low velocity and high friction).
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River cliff
This is a feature formed on the outside of a meander where the thalweg erodes the banks through hydraulic action and corrasion.
This is a feature formed on the outside of a meander where the thalweg erodes the banks through hydraulic action and corrasion.
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Meander migration
This is the name of the process in which a meander moves and becomes more exaggerated due to constant erosion and deposition.
This is the name of the process in which a meander moves and becomes more exaggerated due to constant erosion and deposition.
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Erosion
This is the destructive action of the water in the river which wears away land.
This is the destructive action of the water in the river which wears away land.
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Ox bow lakes
This is a feature formed when the neck of a meander narrows so much that the river simply cuts through in times of flood (as it is a more direct route out to sea).
This is a feature formed when the neck of a meander narrows so much that the river simply cuts through in times of flood (as it is a more direct route out to sea).
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Lower course
This is the last section of a river's journey, here it is large and fast.
This is the last section of a river's journey, here it is large and fast.
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Levees
These are natural barriers formed by the continuous flooding of a river on to the flood plain. The river deposits heavier materials such as clays and the front and lighter materials like silt at the back. Over time, these features form.
These are natural barriers formed by the continuous flooding of a river on to the flood plain. The river deposits heavier materials such as clays and the front and lighter materials like silt at the back. Over time, these features form.
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Floodplain
This is a feature formed when the river floods and deposits sediment. These are usually very fertile.
This is a feature formed when the river floods and deposits sediment. These are usually very fertile.
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Deltas
These are features formed by huge quantities of sediment being deposited at the mouth of a major river such as the Nile. For these to form you need a small tidal range, low wave energy and large amounts of sediment.
These are features formed by huge quantities of sediment being deposited at the mouth of a major river such as the Nile. For these to form you need a small tidal range, low wave energy and large amounts of sediment.
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River capacity
How much water the river can hold.
How much water the river can hold.
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Deforestation
This is a human cause of flooding, when people remove trees and reduce interception.
This is a human cause of flooding, when people remove trees and reduce interception.
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Dams
These are a device used to store water, if they burst it can cause a catastrophic flood. They are also a type of hard engineering technique which holds back water in times of flood.
These are a device used to store water, if they burst it can cause a catastrophic flood. They are also a type of hard engineering technique which holds back water in times of flood.
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Impermeable rock
This is a physical cause of flooding; it is a type of rock that does not allow percolation so increases surface run off.
This is a physical cause of flooding; it is a type of rock that does not allow percolation so increases surface run off.
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Saturated ground
This is a physical cause of flooding; this is when the ground becomes so soaked with water that it cannot hold any more and increases surface run off.
This is a physical cause of flooding; this is when the ground becomes so soaked with water that it cannot hold any more and increases surface run off.
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Hard engineering
A type of technique that interrupts and works against nature e.g. channelisation.
A type of technique that interrupts and works against nature e.g. channelisation.
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Soft engineering
A type of technique that uses nature against itself e.g. afforestation.
A type of technique that uses nature against itself e.g. afforestation.
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Flood relief channels
This is a type of hard engineering technique which alters the course of a river to divert flood water away from settlements. Is expensive but very effective.
This is a type of hard engineering technique which alters the course of a river to divert flood water away from settlements. Is expensive but very effective.
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Embankments
This is a type of hard engineering technique, they are raised banks along the side of a river which increase channel capacity and prevent bank erosion. These can be used as walkways by pedestrians but can be ugly.
This is a type of hard engineering technique, they are raised banks along the side of a river which increase channel capacity and prevent bank erosion. These can be used as walkways by pedestrians but can be ugly.
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Channelisation
This is a type of hard engineering technique in which the river channel is straightened or deepened to allow it to carry more water out to sea faster. This is very long lasting and effective but can lead to a greater risk of flooding downstream.
This is a type of hard engineering technique in which the river channel is straightened or deepened to allow it to carry more water out to sea faster. This is very long lasting and effective but can lead to a greater risk of flooding downstream.
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Flood defences
These are techniques and devices installed to protect against floods.
These are techniques and devices installed to protect against floods.
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Flood walls
This is a type of hard engineering technique in which a wall is constructed to form a barrier against the flood water.
This is a type of hard engineering technique in which a wall is constructed to form a barrier against the flood water.
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Floodplain zoning
This is a type of soft engineering technique. The local council examine the flood risks in different areas and prevent buildings in theses areas (e.g. on a flood plain). This can aggravate the problem of housing shortage but lessens surface run off.
This is a type of soft engineering technique. The local council examine the flood risks in different areas and prevent buildings in theses areas (e.g. on a flood plain). This can aggravate the problem of housing shortage but lessens surface run off.
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Washlands
This is a type of soft engineering technique in which certain areas of land are allowed to flood naturally to prevent flooding in other areas. These can become fertile farmland but cannot be used as they flood too often.
This is a type of soft engineering technique in which certain areas of land are allowed to flood naturally to prevent flooding in other areas. These can become fertile farmland but cannot be used as they flood too often.
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Warning systems
This is a type of soft engineering technique which warns residents of an imminent flood. This is a very cheap flood defence but can be vandalised.
This is a type of soft engineering technique which warns residents of an imminent flood. This is a very cheap flood defence but can be vandalised.
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Afforestation
This is a type of soft engineering technique. Trees are planted in the catchment area to increase interception. This is a cheap method of reducing flooding but can increase fire risk.
This is a type of soft engineering technique. Trees are planted in the catchment area to increase interception. This is a cheap method of reducing flooding but can increase fire risk.
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Gabions
These are a type of hard engineering technique. Wire cages are filled with rocks resistant to erosion and are placed along the banks of the river. They also reduce erosion but are ugly.
These are a type of hard engineering technique. Wire cages are filled with rocks resistant to erosion and are placed along the banks of the river. They also reduce erosion but are ugly.