Rivers

 

Rivers and the surrounding land drained by them (catchments) are very important wildlife habitats. The water and surrounding land provide an environment for plants and animals such as fish, otters, kingfishers and dragonflies. Pollution is a great danger, which can destroy the balance of this environment and this is why we make sure that the effluent from our wastewater treatment works will not harm the river it is returned to.

 

Did you know?…

 

Source - The source is the beginning of a river and it is usually found in the hills or mountains. A river can have more than one source.

 

Mouth - At its mouth, the river flows into another body of water.

The mouth may be where the river meets the sea, a lake or a larger waterway. Most rivers flow out into the sea, and this is where they end their journey.

 

The floodplain - The floodplain is the flat land of the river valley close to the river banks. The floodplain is usually found in the lower course of a river. It is a fertile area of land, used by farmers for growing crops. The floodplain is covered with water when a river floods. Alluvium is a type of mud which is left behind when the flood waters go. Alluvium is very fertile.

 

Meander - A meander is a bend in the river. The water slows down on the outer side of the bend and will often deposit silt and stones, sometimes leading to the formation of a river beach.

 

Erosion - Erosion occurs in all rivers. Erosion is the wearing away of the river bed, river banks and channel.

 

The River Severn is the longest river in the UK, it’s about 220 miles in length and - starts here in Wales.

 

Download and play - what about the environment?

Download and play - The water cycle