Why some streams meander but others are straight A) What is a reasonable hypothe

Question

Why some streams meander but others are straight

A) What is a reasonable hypothesis about the relationship between meandering (sinuosity) and stream gradient?

B) What is the relationship between sinuosity and the valley width/ channel width ratio?

C) What is the relationship between stream gradient and the shape of a stream valley?

D) Which probably has the steeper gradient- the River Cuckmere of the Yellowstone River? Explain this reasoning.

E) How to tell if the gradient of a stream is steep or gentle? What’s the reasoning behind this?

Explanation / Answer

B) relationship between sinuosity and the valley width/ channel width ratio:

if channel width increases then sinousity increases and the streams are meander rather than straight.

C) relationship between stream gradient and the shape of a stream valley:

if stream gradient increases shape of valley decreases and if stream gradient decreases shape of valley increases. like meander stream have lower stream gradient and wideer valley.

if the gradient of a stream is steep then more erosion takes place and the shape of the river valley is like 'V' but if the gradient of a stream is gentle then less erosion takes place and the shape of the river valley is wide .

D) the River Cuckmere has the steeper gradient because this is a meandering stream having several ox bow lake and short steep climbs.

E)

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