Aim: How do rivers erode sediment?
Topic: Unit 4
Main Idea: River Erosion

1) What are the three ways a river can carry sediments?
Pebbles, Cobbles and Boulders
Halite and Calcite
Silt and Clay

2) What is meant by the “carrying power” of a river?
 The carrying power is how much sediment a river can carry as it flows.

3) What is the relationship between the speed of a river and the size of the particle that it can carry?
 The faster the river, the bigger the particle it can carry.

(a)
4) What makes a stream flow fast?
Stream discharge_________________________
(b)
Gradient________________________________

5) What is a meander and how does it tell you about the shape of the land?
 A meander is a bend in a river. These bends form when the land is flat.

6) How does water flow in a meander?
 It flows fastest on the outside
(erosion) and slowest on the inside
(deposition) of the bend.

X is on the inside of the bend so deposition occurs and it is shallow there.

Side View
A B
C D
E F

Exit Card
1)
Draw the shape of the side view of the river from point 1 to point 2.
Use p. 6 of the ESRT’s to answer the following question
2) How fast does a river have to travel to carry sediments 0.2 cm in diameter?