Factors affecting Rivers

Factors affecting Rivers

1. Physical

   • Climate
     • Precipitation
       • Velocity and discharge
       • Flooding
     • Weathering
       • Amount of sediment
   • Relief
     • Gradient
     • Velocity
       • Erosion rates
   • Geology
     • Rates of erosion
     • Amount of sediment

2. Human

   • Road building
     • Rain reaches rivers quicker
     • Floods have a shorter lag time (quicker response)
   • Channelisation in cities
     • Stops landforms like meanders from forming
     • Increases river velocity
   • Building ports
     • Interferes with deposition
       • Sediment dredging has to be done at ports to allow ships to enter
   • Agriculture
     • Chemical fertilizers affect ecology
       • Increases algal bloom
   • Deforestation
     • Affects interception
       • Rain reaches rivers faster
     • Throughflow is reduced
     • Erosion rates increase