What is the difference between plain rivers and mountains? Comparative characteristics

Rivers are the main source of drinking water for humanity. Their importance can not be underestimated. Rivers, like waterways, are located throughout the entire land area on the planet.

The watercourses are grouped by size (small, medium, large) and by topographic classification. It is from the relief of the terrain, along which the stream flows, that all the rivers of the planet are divided into two different types of water bodies. The difference between the flat rivers and the mountain ranges can be understood from the information presented in this article. Some flows have a mixed type: they can flow in one type of terrain, and in another way.

Types of Rivers: Definition

A plain river is a reservoir that has a calm, quiet current, a wide valley and flows along a flat or flat terrain.

The mountain river is a stream flowing through a narrow and deep valley, it has a fast and turbulent current, passes within the mountainous terrain.

A more accurate description of what is the plain and mountain rivers, what is the difference between them, can be read below.

Source

The source of lowland rivers is usually served by lakes, reservoirs, sources of groundwater; While the mountainous ones originate high in the mountains, in places where snow or glaciers accumulate.

Feeding of rivers

The feeding of flat rivers is mainly mixed, with the advantage of snow. The flood begins on them in the spring. The duration of the period is from 15 days to 1 month. After high water, the water level decreases, reaching its minimum mark, which is called low water. Speaking about the difference between the flat rivers and the mountain ones, it is worth saying that sometimes small ponds flowing in places of insignificant lifting of land have a property to dry out in the summer. But by autumn, by the time of the floods, they have returned to the previous regime. Mountain rivers have a completely different behavior. They have a constant current, they never dry out, and in winter they can freeze completely. The rivers feed mainly on the account of precipitation (rain). The maximum number of them is in the summer, because during this period, mountain streams can come out of the coast. The water level in winter decreases as much as possible, and the current acquires a calm character.

Water temperature

Plain rivers and mountains (the difference between them is limited not only by the above criteria) have a different level of water temperature. It is always low in reservoirs flowing near the peaks, the waters 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 flat streams varies with the course of the year and depends on the type of climate. Most often, in the winter such rivers are quite cold, sometimes with a freezing surface, there are three stages: freezing, freezing and opening. In summer, the temperature in them is significantly increased.

River valley

Continuing to provide information on what distinguishes plain rivers from mountainous, it is necessary to clarify that the character of the bottom of the reservoir flowing near the heights has an exceptional impact on the terrain. Water flows have a deep, stony and uneven bottom, and the banks almost always differ in rocky character and steep descent. The bottom of the mountain river valley is V-shaped, in most cases. The very channel is most often narrow, not differing in breadth throughout its entire length. This moment also depends on the flow velocity and the slope angle of the reservoir. Flat rivers have a sufficient width of their valley, shallow depths and low slopes. The bed of such a stream is usually of a tortuous nature, and the bottom is muddy (clayey and sandy areas can sometimes be found). Often, rocks in the lower part of the valley are not found, if there are barriers or rolling in the flat river, they are represented by sandy rocks. Large meanders are called meanders (bends). A common feature of mountain and plain rivers: they can have rapids that greatly influence the flow velocity. They can form when the watercourse is located on hard rocks (ridges, platforms).

Flow velocity

An important nuance in the question of how the plain rivers differ from mountainous will be the nature of the current. The reservoirs located at the peaks have a fast flow, the average flow rates can reach a value of 6 m / s. In areas close to waterfalls, the movement of water can be further intensified. The speed of the current of a mountain river depends on the level of the slope. The higher this angle, the faster the flow of water. Plain rivers have a quiet slow flow. Their origins are located at low altitudes, so their slope is small.

Economic use of rivers

Plain rivers and mountain rivers are not equally used in the economic sphere. In this issue, the first option wins significantly. First and foremost, they are navigable in most cases, while rafting on mountain streams is almost impossible (except for extreme sports only). Plain streams have the property of forming a wide delta when they enter the sea or the ocean. It is known that the soils in these places are very fertile. In their waters the representatives of ichthyofauna are larger than in mountain rivers. At this point, the temperature of the water and the current velocity have a great influence. And in terms of tourism and recreation, the flat rivers are more developed.