River Basics
Where does a river usually begin?
High Ground / Headwaters
What is a meander?
A curve or bend in a river.
Water in rivers always flows from ______ to ______
high ground to low ground
Why might farmers like land near rivers?
Sediment makes soil fertile
What is the end of a river called?
The Mouth
Where does water move faster in a meander?
Outside curve
What is the body of water that many rivers flow into at the end of their journey?
Lake, Ocean, Sea
Why might it be dangerous to build houses on the outside curve of a river?
Erosion can wear away the land
What is a smaller river that joins into a larger river called?
Tributary
Where does sediment build up in a meander?
Inside curve
If pollution enters a river near the headwaters, what will happen to it?
It will move downstream through the river system.
Why might a city choose to build near a river?
Access to water, transportation, farming, and resources.
What is a drainage basin or watershed?
An area of land where all the water drains into the same river, lake, or ocean.
What happens to the land on the outside of a meander over time?
It erodes or wears away.
What can happen to a river after many years of erosion and sediment movement?
The river can change shape or move across the landscape.
How might a river help people get drinking water?
Rivers can provide a source of fresh water.
Why do rivers usually begin in mountains or high ground?
Because water flows downhill from high ground to low ground due to gravity.
Why does sediment build up on the inside of a meander?
Because the water slows down and drops the sand and dirt it was carrying.
How do rivers slowly change the landscape over many years?
Through erosion and the movement of sediment.
If a river suddenly had much more rainfall and water flowing through it, what might happen to the land around the river?
Flooding could occur and the river could erode more land.