Factors Affecting Volume and Speed of River

Roughness of the Channel

There are obstacles in the Channel such as rocks,boulders, underwater vegetation.

The obstacles create friction,thus having a slower water flow

A river with a smooth Channel will have a faster water flow

Wetted Perimeter

Wetted perimeter is the length and breadh of the channel in contact with the rivers water

If the wetted perimeter is large, more water comes in contact with the Channel. it created friction and slows down water flow.

The shape of a river channel affects the wetted perimeter

River Channels have various shapes and sizes

Around the perimeter of the river, at the sides and along the river bed friction is created as water flows against the edges. Water flowing through a wide, deep river channel encounters less resistance than water flowing in a narrow, shallow channel.

The Gradient of the Channel

Water flows down due from a high altitude due to gravity

The speed depends on how steep the Channel is

Water will flow slowly if the Gradient is low

Size of Drainage Basin

The bigger the drainage area, the greater will be the amount of water in the river

Larger drainage results to more surface area for the rain to fall on

The rain flows over the land as a surface runoff or seeps into the ground before reaching the river

Precence of Vegetation

Vegetation intercepts rain and allows more water to seep into the ground

More vegetation leads to lesser surface runoff

lesser surface runoff leads to smaller river volume

Permeability of Rocks

The higher the permeability, the lower the surface runoff

The lower the permeability, the higher the surface runoff

River flowing in an area with less permeable rocks,will have a larger volume of water in its channel

Climate

Higher Rainfall leads to higher water volume for the river

Rivers found in hot and wet equitorial areas have a high volume of water in their channels

The climate could be a wet season or a dry season