Features of the Upper Course

meander

oxbow lake

source

mouth

rapids

plunge pools

meanders

interlocking spurs

Hills formed by volcanic activity

Alternate projections of land that extend into a river valley

Large rocks deposited by glaciers

Sections of a river where waterfalls occur

A river deposits sediment as it slows down

A river erodes softer rock and flows around harder rock, creating a winding path

Wind erosion creates alternating ridges in a valley

Earthquakes shift land, forming a zigzag pattern

The river is too slow to erode the landscape

The valley is wider, and the river meanders instead of cutting through spurs

The lower course has steep gradients that prevent spur formation

The river deposits too much sediment to allow erosion

The interlocking spurs will become steeper and taller

The river will start cutting through the spurs, creating a gorge

The river will dry up and leave the spurs intact

The spurs will widen and form oxbow lakes

Build the highway in a straight line, cutting through the spurs

Follow the winding path of the valley to avoid excessive excavation

Fill in the valley with concrete to create a flat road

Divert the river to another location to remove the spurs