Physical geography · Both
Rivers – Processes & Flooding
River questions link processes to landforms and to flood risk for people. Learn the chain: process → landform → impact → management.
Processes
**Erosion:** hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, solution
**Transportation:** traction, saltation, suspension, solution
**Deposition:** when energy falls (inside bends, flatter lower course)
Flooding and management
Causes: heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, impermeable surfaces, steep basins, human factors (deforestation, urbanisation).
Management:
• Hard – embankments, channel straightening, dams
• Soft – flood warnings, land-use zoning, afforestation, river restoration
Each has costs, benefits and sustainability issues.
Worked example
Why might soft engineering be preferred?
Solution: Often cheaper, more sustainable and better for habitats – though it may not stop the largest floods alone.
Practice questions
1. Name three types of erosion.
2. Give one hard and one soft flood management method.