Fluvial Landforms: Stages of a River

Youth Stage

  • Streams are few during this stage with poor integration and flow over original slopes.
  • Downcutting predominates over lateral corrasion.
  • Major features are V-shaped valleys, gorges, canyons, waterfalls, and rapids.

Mature Stage

  • Streams are plenty with good integration.
  • Lateral corrasion tends to replace vertical corrasion.
  • Major features are oxbow lakes, meanders, and floodplains.

Old Stage

  • Vertical corrasion almost ceases in this stage though lateral corrasion still goes on to erode its banks.
  • Streams meander freely over vast floodplains. Divides are broad and flat with lakes, swamps, and marshes.
  • Depositional features predominate in this stage.
  • Characteristic features of this stage are floodplains, oxbow lakes, natural levees, Deltas, etc.

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