Rivers, Floods and Management: Valley Profiles

Rivers, Floods and Management: Valley Profiles

1. Valley Long Profiles

   • High in the mountains there is a steep gradient. This results in the river tumbling over rapids and waterfalls.
   • On reaching the lowlands, the gradient becomes gentler.
   • Graded Profile: Smooth concave long profile of a river that has achieved a state of equilibrium with its environment.
   • Changes in sea level may affect the long profile.

2. Valley Cross Profiles

   • The cross profile of a valley also changes with distance downstream.
   • Close to its source, a river usually flows through a narrow, steep-sided valley.
   • With increasing distance downstream, the valley becomes wider and less steep.
   • The river also tends to increase in size - both in width and depth - because it is carrying more water and more energy.

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