5. Courses of River

The course of a river may be divided into three distinct parts
1. The upper or mountain course
2. The middle or valley course
3. The lower or plain course

This begins at the source of the river, which is most probably the crest of a mountain range. Here the river flows swiftly as it descends the steep slopes of the mountain. Due to the high flow rate of the river, vertical corrasion remains the predominant action of the river. As a result of it, deep, narrow and distinctively V-shaped valley is developed. Because of increased erosion due to steep slopes, the river channel performs erosion with great force to widen and deepen its valley. Down cutting takes place so rapidly that lateral corrasion is outweighed by vertical corrasion. In regions where the rocks are very resistant, the valley is so narrow, and the sides are so steep that gorges are formed.

 

The land features carved by a river in its upper course are  'V'-shaped valleys, gorges, canyons, rapids, potholes, spurs, and waterfalls.

  

In the middle course, where the river enters the plain, lateral corrasion tends to replace vertical corrasion. The load of the river increases with the increase in the volume of water with the confluence of many tributaries. The V-shaped valleys are widened by the active erosion of the banks. The work of the river is predominantly transportation  with some deposition. The deposition also occurs due to the sudden decrease in velocity.

 

The typical landforms developed by the river in the middle course are alluvial fans, flood plains, meanders, ox-bow lakes etc.,

In the lower course of the river, the speed of the river is drastically reduced. The river moving downstream across a broad, level plain is heavy with debris brought down from the upper course. Vertical corrasion is almost ceased, though lateral corrasion still goes on to erode the bank further. The work of the river is predominantly deposition, building up its bed and forming extensive flood plains.
Some of the important landforms developed by the lower course of the river are deltas and estuaries.