Fluvial System

Presented by
Bhaskar Jyoti Rajkhowa
Roll No. 20
M.Sc. 2nd Sem
I
 A RIVER SYSTEM CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THREE
SUBSYSTEMS:

 Collecting system (branches) - consisting of a network

of tributaries in the headwater region, collects and
funnels water and sediment to the main stream.
 Transporting system (trunk) - the main trunk stream,
which functions as a channel way through which water
and sediment move from the collecting area toward the
ocean. (Erosion and deposition also occur in a river's
transporting system)
 Dispersing system (roots) - consists of a network of
distributaries at the mouth of a river (delta), where
sediment and water are dispersed into an ocean, a lake,
or a dry basin
 Parts of River
• Tributary : a stream flowing into or joining a larger stream
• Distributary : numerous stream branches into which a river
divides where it reaches its delta
• Upstream : moves toward headwater (up the regional
slope of erosion)
• Downstream : moves toward mouth of river (delta)
• Delta : a large, roughly triangular body of sediment
deposited at the mouth of a river
• Meander : a broad, looping bend in a river
• Braided : river is divided into multiple channels by alluvial
islands. Braided rivers tend to have steeper gradients
 Activities of the river

 Erosion
At high velocity and maximum gradient
 Transportation
 Deposition
At low velocity and low gradient
Stages of the river

Three stages
1. Youth
2. Matured
3. Old
 Youth Stage
 Downward erosion
 V-shaped valley
 Matured stage

 Lateral erosion
 Old stage

 Ox bow lake
 Types of river
Factors
1. The energy level
2. Velocity of river
3. Gradient of riverbed

Three types
4. Straight
5. Meandering
6. Braided
7. Anastomosing
Dendritic drainage pattern

• Irregular branching
pattern (tree like) in
many direction.
• It is common in massive
rocks and in flat lying
strata
• Due to strong resistance
of rocks headward
development of valley is
negligible.
Parallel drainage pattern

• Parallel or sub-parallel
drainage formed on sloping
surface.
• Common in terrain with
homogeneous rocks.
• Development of parallel
rills, gullies or narrow
channels are commonly
seen on gently sloping
surface
Radial drainage pattern

• Streams radiates out from

the center of the topograhic
high

• common in Volcanic terrain

Rectangular drainage pattern

• Channels marked by right-

angle bends

• Commonly due to presence

of joints and fractures in the
massive rocks or foliation
in metamorphic rocks
Land Forms Developed by the River
 Alluvial Fans
A fan shaped deposit of sediments that forms when stream/river
flows out of a mountain on to flat, dry plains. These are not
under water and are very visible. This only happens on the
land. You can call it a “land delta”.
 Flood Plains
• The entire floodplain can become covered with
water during floods.
 Stream Terrace
• Steplike landforms found above a stream and
its flood plain.
Point Bar
Natural Levee
Oxbow Lake
Delta
 References
• Geomorphology by Savindra Singh
• Introduction to Sedimentology by S.M.Sengupta
• Internet sources
Thank You