Bradshaw model detailed description

     Occupied Channel Width is the distance across the actual channel, measured at the water surface; it increases due to increase in discharge (above), input from tributaries etc.

     Channel depth is the height from the water surface to the stream/river bed channel depth sees an increase further downstream along with the size of the river. A line connecting all places of greatest depth all along the river is called the “thalweg”.

     Average velocity is the speed of the water flow (distance travelled per unit of time), it increases steadily further downstream. Further downstream, the river becomes more efficient with proportionally less contact with its bed and banks.

     Load quantity is the capacity of the river including the river load and it increases with discharge and velocity. Load particle size decreases considerably downstream and the more angular pebbles become more rounded due to attrition.

     Channel bed roughness decreases significantly downstream because of fewer and smaller stones, this is due to erosion. Channel bed roughness decreasing allows much faster water flow. The river slope angle (gradient) decreases downstream.