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Figure 1: River Long Profile — how gradient, channel shape and dominant processes change from source to mouth
Every river can be divided into three sections — the upper course, middle course and lower course. These are not just geographic zones; they are zones of completely different processes, shaped by the balance between the river's energy and the resistance of the landscape it flows through.
| Feature | Upper Course | Middle Course | Lower Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gradient | Steep | Moderate | Gentle |
| Channel | Narrow, shallow | Wider, deeper | Very wide, deep |
| Flow speed | Turbulent (appears fast) | Moderate | Slow but high velocity |
| Dominant process | Vertical erosion | Lateral erosion + transport | Deposition |
| Key landforms | V-valleys, waterfalls, gorges, interlocking spurs | Meanders, river cliffs, point bars, floodplain developing | Meanders, ox-bow lakes, floodplains, levées, deltas |
| Load character | Large, angular boulders | Mixed — cobbles, gravel, sand | Fine silt and clay |
The gradient drops most sharply in the upper course and flattens as the river approaches the sea. This profile — steep at the top, gentle at the bottom — is called the long profile or graded profile. Rivers constantly work towards a smooth, idealised long profile; every landform is a stage in that process.
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