Chemical reactions of water. The acids in the water slowing dissolve the bed and the banks
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Abrasion
The wearing away of the bed/banks due to transported material rubbing against it
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Meanders
Bends in the river
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Upper course
Contains the source (where the river begins) V-shaped valleys, Gorges and Waterfalls are common in the upper course.
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Lower course
U shaped valley. Lateral erosion and much wider than the upper course
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Middle course
Vertical and lateral erosion. There is more water meaning more erosion
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V-shaped valley
A river's discharge is low in the upper course and so the river only has enough energy to erode downwards. This is called vertical erosion
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Waterfall
The sudden, and often vertical, drop of a river along its course. Abrasion and Hydraulic action are most responsible
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Gorge
A narrow, steep sided valley
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Oxbow lake
A horse show/semi-circular area that represents the former course of a meander. Oxbow lakes are cut off from a supply of water and so will eventually become dry
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Flood plain
Flat area adjacent to river channel, especially in lower part of course. Created as a natural area for water to spill onto when the river reaches the top of its bank
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Levees
Raised banks along course of a river in its lower course. They're formed naturally but can be artificially increased in height
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Attrition
Making the bed load smaller and smoother, the more it rolls over each other
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