Rivers are the main source of drinking water for mankind. Their importance cannot be underestimated. Rivers, like water arteries, are located throughout the land on the planet.
Watercourses are grouped by size (small, medium, large) and by topographic classification. It is from the terrain along which the stream flows that all the rivers of the planet are divided into two different types of reservoirs. can be understood from the information provided in this article. Some streams are of a mixed type: they can flow through one type of terrain and another.
River types: definition
flat river- this is a body of water that has a calm, quiet current, a wide valley and flows along a flat or plateau terrain.
mountain river- a stream flowing through a narrow and deep valley, it has a fast and restless course, passes within the mountainous terrain.
A more accurate description of what flat rivers and mountain rivers are, what is the difference between them, can be read below.
Source
The source of lowland rivers is usually lakes, reservoirs, groundwater sources; while mountain ones originate high in the mountains, in places where snow or glaciers accumulate.
River feeding
The food of the lowland rivers is mostly mixed, with the advantage of snow. The flood on them begins in the spring. The duration of the period is from 15 days to 1 month. After the flood, the water level decreases, reaching its minimum mark, which is called low water. Speaking about the difference between lowland rivers and mountain rivers, it is worth saying that sometimes shallow reservoirs flowing in places of slight land elevation tend to dry up in summer. But by autumn, by the time the floods begin, they return to their previous regime again. Mountain rivers have a completely different behavior. They have a constant flow, never dry up, and in winter they can freeze completely. Rivers are fed mainly by precipitation (rain). Their maximum number occurs in the summer, because during this period mountain streams can overflow their banks. in winter it decreases as much as possible, and the current becomes calm.
Water temperature
Plain rivers and mountain rivers (the difference between them is limited not only by the criteria described above) have different levels of water temperature. It is always low in the reservoirs flowing near the peaks, the waters practically do not warm up during the day. In the upper reaches of mountain rivers, at high altitudes, the temperature drops to +2°C. The water regime of the flat streams changes over the course of the year and depends on the type of climate. Most often, in winter, such rivers are quite cold, in places with a freezing surface, they go through three stages: freezing, freezing and opening. In summer, the temperature in them rises significantly.
river valley
Continuing the presentation of information about how lowland rivers differ from mountain rivers, it is necessary to clarify that the nature of the bottom of a reservoir flowing at heights is exclusively influenced by the terrain. Water streams have a deep, rocky and uneven bottom, and the banks almost always have a rocky character and a steep descent. The shape of the bottom of the mountain river valley is V-shaped, in most cases. The channel itself is most often narrow, not differing in latitude throughout its entire length. This moment also depends on the speed of the current and the angle of the slope of the reservoir. Plain rivers are distinguished by the sufficient width of their valleys, shallow depths and low slopes. The channel of such a stream most often has a tortuous character, and the bottom is silty (sometimes clay and sandy areas can be found). Often, rocks in the lower part of the valley are not found, if there are obstacles or rifts in the flat river, then they are represented by sandy rocks. Large convolutions are called meanders (bends). A common feature of mountain and lowland rivers is that they can have rapids, which to a large extent affect the speed of the flow. They can form when the watercourse is located on hard rocks (ridges, platforms).
Current speed
An important nuance in the question of how lowland rivers differ from mountain rivers will be the nature of the flow. Reservoirs located near the peaks have a fast current, the average flow rates can reach 6 m/s. In areas close to waterfalls, water movement can increase even more. The speed of the flow of a mountain river depends on the level of the slope. The higher this angle, the faster the water flow. Plain rivers have a calm slow flow. Their sources are located at low heights, so their slope is small.
Economic use of rivers
Plain rivers and mountain rivers are not equally used in the economic sphere. In this regard, the first option wins significantly. First of all, in most cases they are navigable, while rafting on mountain streams is practically impossible (only extreme sports can be considered an exception). Plain watercourses tend to form a wide delta when they flow into the sea or ocean. It is known that the soils in these places are very fertile. In their waters, there are more representatives of the ichthyofauna than in mountain rivers. At this point, the temperature of the water and the speed of the current have a great influence. And in terms of tourism and recreation, lowland rivers are more developed.