Water on the Land - Characteristics of the Upper, Middle, and lower courses

A river is split up into three sections: the Upper course, the Middle course, and the Lower course.

Upper Course:
-Characteristics

• Steep, V-shaped valleys
• Narrow/shallow channel

-Features

• V-shaped valleys
• Interlocking Spurs
• Waterfalls
• Gorges
• Downward erosion

Middle Course:

-Characteristics

• Open, gentle sloping valley with flood plain
• Wider/deeper channel
• More suspended sediment

-Features

• Meanders
• River Cliffs
• Slip off slopes
• Lateral and Downwards erosion

Lower Course:

-Characteristics

• Open, gentle sloping valley with flood plain
• Flat and wide flood plain
• Wide and open valley
• Very wide and very deep channel

-Features

• Ox-Bow lakes
• Flood plains
• Levées
• Lateral erosion