What are the three factors that affect a rivers flow?

Answer 1

FACTORSRiver velocityRiver volumeSPEED OF RIVER (velocity)Gradient of riverthe steeper the gradient, the faster is the flowRoughness of the channelthe rougher the channel, the slower is the flow, because the water has to overcome the friction of the river bed and banksShape of channelLarger wetted perimeter (banks and bed in contact with water), the river has to overcome more friction and is slowed down.VOLUME OF RIVERThe volume of river depends on :Size of drainage basinthe larger the draiinage basin, the more tributaries there are and the greater is the volume of waterPresence of VegetationVegetation intercepts the rain and enables the rain water to infiltrate into the ground. This reduces surface run-off and so less water flows immediately into the river.Permeability of rocksIf the underlying rocks in the drainage basin are permeable, rain water infiltrate into the ground quickly and there will be little surface run-off flowing into the river.ClimateIf there is low rainfall and high precipitation, the rivermay have a low volume of flow or even dry up. (Vice-versa)