Factors influencing the energy of the river

Wetted perimeter

Shape of a river channel affects the wetted perimeter.

The larger the wetted perimeter, the slower the flow of river.

Subtopic

Roughness of channel

As water flows it encounters obstacles.

Obstacles are like rocks, boulders, underwater vegetations or an uneven river bed

These obstacles cause friction between water and the channel.

This friction will slow down the river flow.

Reduces the speed of the river.

Smoother channels will will have higher speed than the river with a rougher channel.

Gradient of channel

Rivers flow from a high altitude due to gravity.

Depends on the steepness or the gradient of the channel.

If the gradient is steep the river will flow quickly.

If the gradient is gentle the river will flow slowly.

Climate

Areas with distinct wet and dry seasons, amount of water in the channel fluctuates according to the amount of rainfall recieved during each season.

Areas which are generally dry, the volume of water remains low throughout the year.

Rivers found in hot and equalatorial areas have a high volume of water in their channels.

Size of drainage basin

The bigger the drainage area, the greater the volume of water will be.

REASON: When the drainage area is large, there is more surface area for the rain to fall.

Rain flows over the land as surface runoff or seeps into the ground before reaching the river.

Lareger drainage basin results in large volume of water in the river.

Smaller drainage basin results in a smaller volume of water in the river.

Presence of vegetation

vegetation intercepts and allows more water to infiltrate the ground.

Abundant vegetationn aloows more rainwater to infiltrate the ground.

Thus reduces the flow of surface runoff.

Leading to low amount of water in the river.

Sparse vegetation leads to high surface runoff.

Resulting in high volume of water in the river.

Permeability of rocks

High permeability increases infiltration and decrease runoff.

Hence volume of water in river is low.

Low permeability decreases the infiltration and increases runoff.

Resultinf in high volume of water in the river.