FIGURE3 A river system
Watershed
Meanders
River formation
Floodplain
Upper course
Waterfall
Tributary
River mouth
Lower course
SkillBuilder discussion 1. Why do you think waterfalls develop close to the source of a river? 2. Why do you think meanders have developed in the middle section of the river? 3. Why does the river split into several smaller channels as it reaches the sea?
Upper course A river’s water comes from within its drainage basin or catchment (see FIGURE4 ). Its boundary is identified by higher land such as mountains and hills. This boundary is referred to as the watershed, and it determines the direction of river flow.
FIGURE4 The watershed and catchment (drainage basin) of a river system
One drainage basin can contain many smaller drainage basins.
Watershed
TOPIC13 Landforms and landscapes – diversity, significance and management 301
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