Rivers 10

10 Rivers
10.0 Rivers Rivers 10

Learning Intentions

You will be able to:

▪ Describe with the aid of diagrams how the processes of

erosion, deposition and transportation shape a river.

▪ Discuss how people interact with and manage surface

process in rivers.

▪ Describe how rivers had an impact on the location and

origin of settlement in Ireland.
10.1 The Journey of a River Rivers 10

The journey a river takes from its source to the sea.

10.2 The Stages of a River Rivers 10

The journey a river takes from its source to its mouth is called the course of the river. This
course is broken up into three different stages.

Upper Course Middle Course Lower Course

10.2 The Stages of a River Rivers 10

Upper Course Middle Course Lower Course

Features include: Features include: Features include:

V-shaped valley Meanders Ox-bow lakes

Interlocking spurs Wide valleys Flood plains

Waterfalls Deltas

Levees
10.3 The Processes of a River Rivers 10

River Erosion

1 2

4 3
10.3 The Processes of a River Rivers 10

River Transportation

As a river moves from source to the sea, it transports its load. The load is transported in a
number of ways by the river.

3 4
1 2

Large pebbles and stones are rolled and dragged along the river bed by the force of
1 the water. This method is known as traction.
10.3 The Processes of a River Rivers 10

River Transportation

As a river moves from source to the sea, it transports its load. The load is transported in a
number of ways by the river.

3 4
1 2

2 Small pebbles are bounced along the river bed. This method is known as saltation.
10.3 The Processes of a River Rivers 10

River Transportation

As a river moves from source to the sea, it transports its load. The load is transported in a
number of ways by the river.

3 4
1 2

Tiny particles are held in suspension in the water – the movement of water is fast
3 enough to keep them from dropping to the river bed.
10.3 The Processes of a River Rivers 10

River Transportation

As a river moves from source to the sea, it transports its load. The load is transported in a
number of ways by the river.

3 4
1 2

4 Dissolved minerals like limestone is carried in solution – it cannot be seen.

10.3 The Processes of a River Rivers 10

River Deposition

Rivers deposit their load

when they begin to slow
down and lose energy.

This happens:

when a river reaches flat

ground

when a river enters a lake

or the sea

at the inside bend of a

meander.

River deposition
10.4 Landforms of a Youthful River Rivers 10

V-Shaped Valley

When a river is in its youthful stage, it

erodes vertically (downwards).

This forms a valley with steep sides and a

narrow floor.

The valley is called V-shaped as it looks

like the letter V.

V-shaped valleys are a feature of erosion

in a river.

An example can be seen in the youthful

stage of the River Liffey.

Gap of Dunloe, Co. Kerry

10.4 Landforms of a Youthful River Rivers 10

V-Shaped Valley – Formation

10.4 Landforms of a Youthful River Rivers 10

Interlocking Spurs are areas of high ground that jut out on either side of the river
and appear to lock together.

Interlocking spurs
10.4 Landforms of a Youthful River Rivers 10

Waterfalls

A waterfall occurs where a river flows over a

vertical slope.

Waterfalls are a feature of erosion.

An example of a waterfall can be seen at

Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow.

Powerscourt, Co.
Wicklow
10.4 Landforms of a Youthful River Rivers 10

Waterfalls – Formation
11
1

River flows over an area

where hard rock lies on top
of an area of soft rock.

Waterfall
10.4 Landforms of a Youthful River Rivers 10

Waterfalls – Formation
1

2
22

The river erodes the soft

rock faster. This develops a
3
vertical drop where the
hard rock and soft rock
meet. This drop is called a
waterfall.
4

Waterfall
10.4 Landforms of a Youthful River Rivers 10

Waterfalls – Formation
1

3
2

At the base, a plunge pool

develops due to the force
33
of the falling water, along
with its load swirling
around at the base, which
wears away the base by
4 abrasion.

Waterfall
10.4 Landforms of a Youthful River Rivers 10

Waterfalls – Formation
1

2 4

The rock above the plunge

3 pool is undercut and left
hanging. It eventually
collapses into the plunge
pool below. As this process
continues, the waterfall
44
slowly erodes its way
upstream.
Waterfall
10.5 Landforms of a Mature River Rivers 10

Wide Valley

In the mature stage of a river, erosion occurs laterally (sideways) rather than vertically
(downwards).

This creates a wide river

valley that is not very steep.

Interlocking spurs have been

removed by lateral erosion,
which widens the valley
floor.

Weathering and mass

movement have also made
the valley sides less steep.
Wide valley
10.5 Landforms of a Mature River Rivers 10

Flood Plains

A flood plain is an area of flat land on either side of the river channel found in the
mature and old stages of a river.

Flood plains are covered in fertile soil, known as alluvium.

This rich and fertile soil is full of minerals and so is excellent for farming.
10.5 Landforms of a Mature River Rivers 10

Meanders
Meanders are formed by a combination of erosion and deposition in the mature and old
age stages of a river.

An example of a meander can be seen in the middle and lower course of the Rivers
Shannon and Boyne.
Meander
10.5 Landforms of a Mature River Rivers 10

Meanders – Formation

Water flows
more quickly on
the outside of
the river bend.
The river erodes
the bend by a
combination of
hydraulic action
and abrasion.
10.5 Landforms of a Mature River Rivers 10

Meanders – Formation

Water flows
more slowly on
the inside bend
of the river.

Material is
deposited on
the inside bend
as the river loses
energy here.
10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Levees

A levee is a build-up of alluvium on the

banks of a river and is a feature of the
old stage river.

Levees are caused by floods and are

a feature of deposition.

Fun Fact!
Levees can be seen in
the lower course of the
River Liffey and the River
Moy, Co. Mayo.
10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Levees – Formation

During times of low flow in a river, the load that is being carried by the river is
1 dropped onto the river bed. This raises the height of the bed.
10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Levees – Formation

During times of flood, the water flows out more easily over the top of the
2 channel and onto the surrounding land. As it does this, it loses energy and
deposits its load.
10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Levees – Formation

The heavy coarse material is deposited on the river banks. The finer silt is
3 deposited further away onto the flood plain.
10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Levees – Formation

4 After many floods, the river builds up a bank on either side.

10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Ox-Bow Lakes

Ox-bow lakes are

horseshoe-shaped lakes
found on the flood plains
of old rivers.

They are formed by river

erosion and deposition.

An example can be seen

on the River Moy.
 10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Ox-Bow Lakes – Formation

1 2 3

Erosion by hydraulic action and abrasion takes place on the outside bank of the
1 meander. The neck of land between the meander begins to narrow.
 10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Ox-Bow Lakes – Formation

1 2 3

During times of flood, the water has increased energy. It takes the shortest course by
2 breaking through the neck and begins to flow in a new, more direct course.
 10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Ox-Bow Lakes – Formation

1 2 3

Deposits of alluvium now build up and seal off both ends of the meander. The old
3 section of the meander is now cut off from the main river and becomes known as an
ox-bow lake. Over time, the lake may dry up.
10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Delta

A delta is a fan-shaped area of land found at the mouth of a river. It is a feature of river
deposition.

Delta
10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Delta – Formation

When a river reaches a lake

or the sea, it slows down and
loses the power to carry
sediment.
10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Delta – Formation

The sediment is then dropped

at the mouth of the river.

Some rivers drop so much

sediment that waves and
tides can’t carry it all away.

This forms the delta.

10.6 Landforms of an Old River Rivers 10

Delta – Formation

The large deposits build up

over time at the mouth of the
river and block the river’s
entry to the sea.

The river then has to break

through the delta in many
small channels called
distributaries.
10.7 Rivers and Human Interaction Rivers 10

Case Study: Flooding in Mallow

The town of Mallow in Co. Cork has a long history of flooding from the River Blackwater.

Records as far back as 1628

detail damage to structures
in the town from flooding.

A ‘Flood Relief Scheme’ for

Mallow was planned.

The aim of the relief

scheme was to try to
prevent serious damage to
local homes and
businesses from flooding.
10.7 Rivers and Human Interaction Rivers 10

Case Study: Flooding in Mallow

10.7 Rivers and Human Interaction Rivers 10

Case Study: Flooding in Mallow

Achievements Economic and Social Benefits

Provided protection against a one-in- Reduction in:
one-hundred-years flood event
▪ damage to homes and businesses
Developed a flood warning system for
the people of Mallow ▪ stress and anxiety experienced by
local people from the threat of
Built flood defences: future flooding
▪ flood defence walls
▪ storm drains ▪ financial loss to local businesses
▪ pumping stations
▪ disruption to the local community
Designed and constructed all defence
walls with future climate change in
mind
10.7 Rivers and Human Interaction Rivers 10

Case Study: Flooding in Mallow

A
10.7 Rivers and Human Interaction Rivers 10

Case Study: Flooding in Mallow

B
10.7 Rivers and Human Interaction Rivers 10

Case Study: Flooding in Mallow

C
10.7 Rivers and Human Interaction Rivers 10

Case Study: Flooding in Mallow

D
 Rivers 10

Video: Waterfalls, Rivers and Floods