How fast do rivers flow?

Answer 1

yes it does. the hydraulic radius increases downstream which decreases friction. also the river sides and bed are smoother due to faster erosion which allows the river to flow faster. There are unlikely to be large obstuructions (such as boulders) in the river so the water has a clear path.

Answer 2

"Normally the river flows at a rate of 2 to 3 miles per hour (3.2 to 4.8 km/h) during low water, 6 to 9 miles per hour (9.7 to 14.5 km/h) during high"

From http://geography.howstuffworks.com/united-states/the-Mississippi-river.htm

Answer 3

It depends on the amount of "drop" or "fall" that the river has to it. The greater the change in elevation in relation to the horizontal distance for the area in question, the faster the river will flow. The volume of water also comes into play. During a heavy rain or flood the water will flow faster. Most rivers are judged by the gallons of water that pass a given point over a given time. Rivers that are navigable by ships will report the speed of the river in knots so the ships can adjust accordingly. Tide effects a lot of rivers also. Some may have a 6 knot current during tide changes. If your boat's top speed is 6.5 knots you may want for the tide to change in your favor.

Answer 4

River 'speed' is not measured by actual speed of meters per second, but rather how much water flows through per second.?æThe Red River of the North has an average flow of 8,617 cubic feet per second. Its maximum flow is 152,900 cubic feet per second, while its minimum flow is 491 cubic feet per second.

Answer 5

they are fast

Answer 6

50mph