Leevee

Page 1

Examine with the aid of a labelled diagram or diagrams the processes that have led to the formation of any one Irish Landform’

Fluvial Deposition Landform- Levees

Levees are landforms formed by the processes of river deposition during flooding.

An Irish example- the banks of the river Moy in Co. Mayo.

A Levee is a ridge of sediment on the banks of a river.

They are formed by deposition and are often found in the lower stage of a sediment laden river.

River deposition occurs when the river loses energy and cannot carry its load.

This can happen when the river slows down and floods onto its flood plain or when the river suddenly becomes shallower.

Levees form because of flooding. During normal flow the river flows through its channel and deposition concurs on the river bed.

However during flood events the river overflows its channel and pours over the flood plain.

Once the river has overflowed its channel it will slow down due to the fact that it has a wider area to flow over. The loss of energy causes deposition.