Rivers - the main source of drinking water for humanity. Their importance cannot be underestimated. Rivers, like waterways, are located throughout the land on the planet.
Watercourses are grouped by size (small,medium, large) and by topographic classification. It is from the terrain, over which the stream flows, all the rivers of the planet are divided into two different types of water bodies. What is the difference between lowland and mountain rivers can be understood from the information presented in this article. Some streams are of a mixed type: they can flow through one type of terrain or another.
Plain river - It is a reservoir that has a calm, quiet current, a wide valley and flows over a flat or flat mountain relief.
Mountain river - the stream flowing through a narrow and deep valley, it has a fast and hectic flow, passes within the mountain relief.
A more accurate description of what the flat and mountain rivers are, and the difference between them, can be found below.
The source of lowland rivers are usually lakes, reservoirs, and sources of groundwater; while the mountains - originate high in the mountains, in places of accumulation of snow or glaciers.
The nutrition of the lowland rivers is mainly mixed, withsnow advantage. The flood on them begins in the spring. Period duration from 15 days to 1 month. After the flood, the water level drops, reaching its minimum mark, which is called low water. Speaking about the difference between flat and mountain rivers, it is worth saying that sometimes small water bodies flowing in places of insignificant land uplift tend to dry out in summer. But by the fall, by the time the floods began, they again return to the previous regime. The mountain rivers have a completely different behavior. They have a constant flow, never dry out, and in winter they can freeze through completely. They feed on rivers mainly due to precipitation (rain). The maximum number of them occurs in the summer, because during this period mountain streams may overflow. The water level in winter decreases as much as possible, and the current acquires a calm character.
Plain and mountain rivers (the difference between themlimited not only by the above criteria) have a different level of water temperature. It is always low in the reservoirs flowing near the peaks, the waters practically do not warm up during the day. In the upper reaches of mountain rivers, at high altitudes, the temperature drops to + 2 ° С. The water regime of lowland flows varies over the year and depends on the type of climate. Most often, in winter such rivers are cold enough, in places with a freezing surface, they go through three stages: freezing, freezing and opening. In the summer, the temperature in them increases significantly.
Continuing to present information about the differenceslowland rivers from the mountain, it is necessary to clarify that the nature of the bottom of the reservoir, which flows near the heights, the terrain has an exceptional influence. Water flows have a deep, stony and uneven bottom, and the coast almost always has a rocky character and steep descent. The shape of the bottom of a mountain river valley is V-shaped, in most cases. The channel itself is most often narrow, not differing in breadth throughout its length. This moment also depends on the flow rate and the pitch angle of the reservoir. The flat rivers are distinguished by a sufficient width of its valley, shallow depths and low slopes. The bed of such a stream most often has a winding character, and the bottom is silty (sometimes clay and sandy areas can occur). Often the rocks in the lower part of the valley are not found, if there are obstacles or rifts in the lowland river, they are sandy rocks. Large gyrus called meanders (bends). A common feature of mountain and lowland rivers: they can have rapids, which to a large extent affect the flow velocity. They can be formed when the watercourse is located on hard rocks (ridges, platforms).
An important nuance in the question of whatlowland rivers differ from mountainous ones, there will be a flow pattern. Reservoirs located at the peaks, have a fast flow, the average flow velocity can reach 6 m / s. In areas close to waterfalls, the movement of water can be further enhanced. The speed of a mountain river depends on the level of the slope. The higher this angle, the faster the flow of water. The flat rivers have a calm slow current. Their sources are located at low altitudes, so their slope is small.
Plain rivers and mountain rivers are not the same.used in the economic sphere. In this question, the first option wins significantly. In the first place, in most cases they are navigable, while rafting on mountain streams is practically impossible (with the exception of extreme sports only). Plain watercourses tend to form a wide delta when flowing into the sea or ocean. It is known that the soil in these places is very fertile. There are more ichthyofauna representatives in their waters than in mountain rivers. At this point, the temperature of the water and the flow velocity have a great influence. And in terms of tourism and recreation, flat rivers are more developed.
