Rivers

    Return to Hydrology Index Page

Rivers are classify as young, mature and old. Young rivers have a "V" shaped channel and flow straight. They typically are strong downward cutting and fast flowing and carried heavy and large size load particles. Mature rivers flow slower and have a more rounded "U" shaped channel. Mature rivers still have a downward cutting ability but they also cut side to side. Their channels have more curve path than the straight narrow path of younger rivers. Old Age Rivers flow very slowly. They have broad "U" shape channels and no longer cut downward but only side to side. They carry only the lightest of sediment particles. These rivers meander back and forth over the broad river flat plains they create often creating oxbow lakes in their path.