what does the middle course of a meandering river have

Full Answer

What is a meandering river?

A meandering river is a winding curve or bend in a river. Meanders are the result of both erosional and depositional processes. They are typical of the middle and lower course of a river.

Why are meanders typical of the middle and lower course?

They are typical of the middle and lower course of a river. This is because vertical erosion is replaced by a sideways form of erosion called LATERAL erosion, plus deposition within the floodplain. The image below shows a series of meanders.

What happens in the middle course of a river?

Middle course of a river The middle course of a river has more energy and volume then in the upper course. The gradient is more gentle and lateral (sideways) erosion has widened the channel. The river channel has also become deeper.

What is the difference between a meander and a river gradient?

Meander gradients are usually more gentle and they experience lateral (sideways) erosions which widen the channel of the river at the middle and lower courses of a river. Usually, the energy accompanying flow water in a river decreases progressively from the upper course of the river to the lowest course of the river.

What are the features of the middle course?

Middle course featuresAs 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.More items...

What is the middle course?

middle course in British English (ˈmɪdəl kɔːs ) an option or alternative between more extreme alternatives. The best way forward may be to take a middle course between the two options you are considering. Collins English Dictionary.

What is middle stage of river?

In this stage the river channel has become much wider and deeper as the channel has been eroded and the river has been fed by many tributaries upstream. Consequently, despite the more gentle gradient the velocity of flow may be as fast as in the uplands.

What is dominant in the middle course of a river?

By the middle course of the river lateral erosion becomes the dominant type of erosion. The channel becomes wide because of lateral erosion.

What kind of landforms are found in the middle course of a river?

Meanders are sweeping loops or bends in the middle and lower course of the river caused by rivers developing increased sinuosity downstream. Meanders form through a combination of factors.

Which among these is a landform formed in the the middle course of the river?

MeandersMeanders are typical landforms found in this stage of the river. A meander is a winding curve or bend in a river. They are typical of the middle and lower course of a river. This is because vertical erosion is replaced by a sideways form of erosion called LATERAL erosion, plus deposition within the floodplain.

How are the features of a meander formed?

The formation of a meander. 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.

Are tributaries found in the middle course?

Lots of tributaries flow into the middle course, adding extra water to the river channel. A larger river channel means there is less friction , so the water flows faster. Water flows fastest on the outer banks of the river and slower on the inside. Fast-flowing water erodes the outer banks.

In which of the stages of river meanders are formed?

middle stageMeanders are formed in the middle stage of a river. When the river leaves the mountains, it encounters a sudden break of slope and slows down. The plains are broad and gentle.

What is the difference between upper middle and lower course of a river?

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.

Which part of the river has the greatest velocity?

Velocity also increases along the course of a river. Even though the descent in the upper courses is steeper the lower course has the greatest velocity.

What do you mean by meandering course?

1 : to follow a winding or intricate course across the ceiling meandered a long crack— John Galsworthy. 2 : to wander aimlessly or casually without urgent destination : ramble he meandered with the sightseers gawping at the boat people— John le Carré

Why do rivers form meanders?

The formation of meanders is due to both deposition and erosion and meanders gradually migrate downstream.

Which course of a river has more energy?

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:

Where is the river flow slower?

On the inside of the bend, where the river flow is slower, material is deposited, as there is more friction.

What are the landforms of rivers?

River landforms can be divided into upper, middle and lower course features. These include steep V-shaped valleys, oxbow lakes and flood plains, respectively.

How does a meander affect oxbow lakes?

Over time meanders can eventually develop into oxbow lakes. As the meander increases in sinuosity it can create a narrow neck of land between successive loops. This neck of land can be eroded through in times of high discharge (floods, for example) as a river current takes the most direct path, leaving the meander as a cut-off.

How does the sinuosity of a meander change over time?

Over time, the sinuosity of the meander increases as pools lengthen until new sets of pools and riffles form in the straight sections between meanders. The whole channel migrates laterally (becomes wider) and becomes more sinuous, acquiring the typical meander shape.

Why are coarse particles in riffles more angular?

Coarse particles in riffles are more angular and generate greater flow resistance than the fine particles in pools so more energy is expended as water flows over them (the water is shallower). This, in turn, encourages further deposition.

What are the bends in a river called?

Meanders are the characteristic bends in a river that are found all along the length of a river but particularly in the middle course. They can vary in size, but generally have deposits of different sized sediment on the inside of the bend called a slip-off slope or point bar, and a concave section on the opposite bank of the river on ...

Why are landforms formed in the middle course?

Many landforms are formed in the middle course as a direct consequence of the relative energy balance changing, resulting in both erosion and deposition. The most obvious example of this is a meander .

What happens when a river flows in sinuous flow?

Inevitably, once sinuous flow is established it causes the river to collide with the banks and results in erosion. The increase in discharge typically found in the middle course leads to an increase in the rate of erosion ...

How does erosion affect the rate of formation of pools?

The rate of formation of pools increases in times of higher discharge and leads to more efficient movement of water. In addition, erosion of the channel causes there to be an increase in the availability of material being transported. This material is often deposited further along the channel in less efficient sections with a lower velocity, ...

What is meander in a river?

Meanders are typical landforms found in this stage of the river. A meander is a winding curve or bend in a river. They are typically found in the middle and lower course of a river. This is because vertical erosion is replaced by a sideways form of erosion called lateral erosion, plus deposition within the floodplain.

What are the processes that create the characteristic features of meanders?

Erosion, transportation and deposition are all processes that create the characteristic features of meanders shown in the images above. There are several stages involved in the creation of meanders and oxbow lakes.

How are meanders perpetuated?

Meanders are perpetuated through a process called helicoidal flow. As the surface flow of water hits the outer bank it corkscrews, flows along the river bed then deposits eroded material on the inner bank. Eventually, the neck of the meander will be breached by the river creating an ox-bow lake.

What landforms are found in the middle course of a river?

The gradient is gentler and more lateral (sideways) erosion widens the channel. The river channel has also become deeper. Meanders are typical landforms found in this stage of the river.

What is the stage 2 of a river?

Stage 2. Where the river swings toward the bank lateral (sideways) erosion causes undercutting. On the opposite side of the channel where the velocity (speed of the flow of water) is lower material is deposited. Therefore the river does not get any wider.

What causes a river to swing side to side?

Flowing water weaves around these bars of sediment. This creates deeper pathways where most of the water flows called pools and shallow areas where less water flows called riffles. This causes the river flow to swing from side to side.

What is a meander in a river?

The term ‘meander’ is one which refers to a winding curve or bend in a river. Meanders are typical landforms at the middle and lower courses of a river. Meander gradients are usually more gentle and they experience lateral (sideways) erosions which widen the channel of the river at the middle and lower courses of a river.

Why do rivers have meanders?

Due to lateral erosion, the river widens and the river water flows over flatter land to develop larger bends which are referred to as ‘meanders.’. The characteristic sinusoidal (sinewave-like or snake-like) flow of water is therefore exhibited after the complete formation of meanders at the middle course of river bodies.

How is a meander formed?

Usually, the meander formed is characterized by an inner bend which is slower in flow, making water flow to slow down considerably creating a gentle slope of sand and shingle as a result of deposition of the eroded material. More water is gained by the deepening bend as the river makes its way to the middle course of the river.

What causes undercutting in a river?

In this stage, the river swings towards the bank lateral (sideways) erosion causes undercutting. At the opposite side of the channel where the velocity (speed of the flow of water) is lower material is deposited. Thus, the river does not get any wider. As a result of this stage, undercutting often occurs on the outer bank and deposition on the inner bank of the meander.

Where did the word "meander" come from?

10 Interesting Facts About the Meanders. Fact 1: The word ‘meander’ comes from the Meander River located in present day Turkey and known to the Ancient Greeks as ‘maiandros.’. Principal Turkish rivers that drain into the Aegean Sea are the Gediz and Büyükmenderes (ancient Meander); the many loops and bends of the Büyükmenderes gave rise to ...

What happens to the flow of water in a river during low flow conditions?

Thus, during low flow conditions, straight river channels develop bars of sediment on their beds which leads to an eventual formation of deeper pathways which ultimately allow more flow of water and consequent formation of a sinusoidal flow of water.

How does a river gain water?

More water is gained by the deepening bend as the river makes its way to the middle course of the river. A resultant increase in flow energy is also exhibited. Due to lateral erosion, the river widens and the river water flows over flatter land to develop larger bends which are referred to as ‘meanders.’.

What is meandering river?

A meandering river is one that, because it flows over a broad plain rather than being confined to a narrow valley, turns its course this way and that, following a looping and winding path along the level expanse. When a particularly great flood comes along, the course of such a river might change suddenly and dramatically, finding a new channel hundreds of feet to one direction or another in just a few weeks time.

Where do meanders form?

Meanders form on plains with soft, erodable soils.

How is a meander formed?

A meander is formed when the moving water in a stream erodes the outer banks ( lateral erosion ) and widens its valley. Meanders are the result of both erosional and depositional processes.

When a river reaches its mature stage, the lateral (sideways) erosion & deposition is greater?

When any river reaches in it's mature (old) stage, the lateral (sideways) erosion & deposition is greater than vertical erosion & deposition and thus a winding course develops due to the deposition of silt on one bank & erosion along the other bank.Thus the river develops meanders, a term derived from the Meanderez river in Asia Minor.

What is the material that is deposited on the floodplain?

When the river floods, it deposits fine-grained material on the floodplain. As the floodplain is a lot larger than the channel, deposits of meandering river systems are dominated by fine-grained material ; coarse-grained channel deposits tend to be relatively minor.

Which processes create the characteristic features of meanders?

Erosion, transportation and deposition are all processes that create the characteristic features of meanders shown in the images above.

Which stage of a river has more energy and volume?

The middle course of a river has more energy and volume then in the upper course. The gradient is more gentle and lateral (sideways) erosion has widened the channel. The river channel has also become deeper. Meanders are typical landforms found in this stage of the river.

Where are curves and bends on a river?

They are curves or bends along a river which are usually found in the middle or lower course of a river.

Why does water flow faster in a river?

As water is being flung rounds the bends at higher velocity, they develop greater energy to erode the outer banks. The eroded material slumps down into the river and over time, the outer bank deepens and turns into a river cliff. The river cliff gets a concave shape and this is why the outer bank of a meander is also known as the concave bank.

Does river flow slow down after a riffle?

The coarser river load at the riffles slows river velocity down. However, water flow speeds up after it flows past the riffles. Further encouraged by the steeper gradient at the riffles, the higher velocity after the obstruction at the riffles allows more erosion to take place and the area just after a riffle turns into a pool.