To see how a river and its characteristics change with increasing distance downstream.

1. Width should increase with increasing distance downstream.

2. Velocity should increase with increasing distance downstream.

3. Depth should increase with increasing distance downstream.

THEORY

An ideal river

THE UPPER COURSE- In the upper course, the river is above its base level.  This gives the river a lot of potential energy.  The river is trying to cut down to its base level so mainly erodes in a downward direction.  This helps to create the v-shaped river valleys in upland areas.

THE MIDDLE COURSE- As the river flows downstream the gradient becomes less steep.  Lateral erosion becomes more important than vertical erosion and the river starts to meander.  Some of the rivers energy is also used to transport eroded material downstream.

THE LOWER COURSE- The river is now nearing its mouth and deposition becomes the most mportant process encouraged by the large load carried by the river, any obstruction, any fall in the volume or any loss of velocity.  

The table below shows different features at the upper middle and lower courses of a river