when the river is carrying vast amounts of erdoded material as bedload. as water levels fall and the energy decreases the river drops its coursest material. the rapid deposition of its coursest material begins to block the main channel causing the river to divide into smaller channels that seek to find the way through the obsructing channel
Flooding can cause erosion of stream banks, change the stream channel morphology, alter water quality by carrying pollutants, and disrupt aquatic habitats by displacing or killing organisms.
A meandering stream creates a broad, flat floodplain through erosion. The erosion process widens the channel and can create river cliffs along the outer banks. Sediment is also deposited on the inner banks, forming point bars.
Vegetation along stream banks can help stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and improve bank structure. Over time, the roots of plants can strengthen the bank, preventing it from eroding and shaping the stream channel by guiding the flow of water and sediment deposition. This can lead to a more stable and natural stream morphology.
Stream erosion can be influenced by factors such as the volume and speed of water flow, gradient of the stream channel, presence of sediment or boulders, vegetation along the banks, and geology of the area. Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and construction of dams or levees can also significantly impact stream erosion.
The velocity of a stream is usually fastest in the middle of the channel, away from the banks where friction against the sides slows down the water flow. This is due to lower friction and more space for the water to flow without obstruction.
stream channel
The path that a stream follows is a channel.
stream channel
Flooding can cause erosion of stream banks, change the stream channel morphology, alter water quality by carrying pollutants, and disrupt aquatic habitats by displacing or killing organisms.
A meandering stream creates a broad, flat floodplain through erosion. The erosion process widens the channel and can create river cliffs along the outer banks. Sediment is also deposited on the inner banks, forming point bars.
Meanders are created in the stream bed when a shallow graded stream cuts from side to side in its erosion process.It will create cliffs on the outside of the bends, and smooth banks on the inside of the stream. These features will migrate upstream.
Gravity pulls the stream channel downward.
Vegetation along stream banks can help stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and improve bank structure. Over time, the roots of plants can strengthen the bank, preventing it from eroding and shaping the stream channel by guiding the flow of water and sediment deposition. This can lead to a more stable and natural stream morphology.
Stream erosion can be influenced by factors such as the volume and speed of water flow, gradient of the stream channel, presence of sediment or boulders, vegetation along the banks, and geology of the area. Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and construction of dams or levees can also significantly impact stream erosion.
A stream bed is the bottom sediment layer of the stream channel which is constantly inundated with water. It is a saturated layer of sediment inhabitated by macroinvertibrates, algae, macrophytes, and microbes. The particle size of the stream bed material (fine clay vs large rock and boulders) is dependent on geologic region, size of the stream, and stream velocity. The stream bank is the adjacent sloping walls that confine the stream on either side. They are typically not wet except in times of high flows. Banks typically can grow more terrestrial vegetation such as reeds, grasses, and trees.
Channel
Gradient