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📘 How a river cuts a valley

Follow flow power, sediment transport, meanders, floodplains, and base level.

lessons

~10 min

to learn

🔬 Science

subject

Adults

level

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What you’ll learn

Slope and flow
Weathering
Entrainment
Sediment load
Pools and riffles
Meanders
Valley shape
Base level
Floodplain
Cutoffs

Questions this course answers

What makes a grain begin moving on a river bed?

Entrainment starts when drag and lift overcome weight, friction, and bed packing.

What is bedload?

Bedload moves close to the channel floor rather than remaining suspended.

Why does the outer bank of a meander erode?

Helical flow directs faster water toward the outside of bends.

What is an oxbow lake?

A cutoff leaves the former curved channel disconnected from the main river.

How does a floodplain receive sediment?

Floodwater loses speed outside the channel, allowing sediment to settle.

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