Author: pete

Stream Profiles

The profile of a stream shows the slope of the ground viewed from the side. The stream channel is the shape of the river and can be described by the width and route of the river.
Gravity is the force responsible for running water. A river changes velocity (speed) depending on the gradient (slope) of the land. When the gradient is high (steep) water flows quickly and a stream will erode its channel downward. This creates a quick moving, straight, deep river. When moving over land with a low gradient the river erodes its sides and becomes wide. Slow moving rivers can create meanders which appear as snakelike back and forth changes in the river as shown in the picture to the right.
A stream’s velocity also influences the size and amount of sediment a river can transport. A fast moving river can carry bigger particles. It can also carry a larger amount of sediment. When a river slows down it’s sediments settle to the bottom, a process known as deposition. When a river empties into the ocean or a lake it can cre ate a triangle shaped deposition feature called a delta as shown to the left.

Using what you have just learned from the description above, match the stream profile (side view) to the aerial view of the stream.

Draw in the missing profile and the missing stream channels

Profile

Aerial View

Draw in the stream channel

1– What is gradient?
2– What is velocity?
3– What is a meander?
4– Where would a delta form and what does it look like?
5– How does a stream’s profile influence its channel?

Draw what the stream profile what look like for this stream channel