This summary cover the following topics for Grade 12 Geomorphology:
Drainage Systems in South Africa
• important concepts: drainage basin, catchment area, river system, watershed, tributary, river mouth, source, confluence, water table, surface run-off and groundwater
• types of rivers: pe...
Geomorphology
Fluvial Landforms
Rivers form landforms as they erode the landscape. These landforms change over time as more erosion and
deposition take place. Different landforms develop at different stages of a river course.
, 2
A River builds a delta out into the sea by depositing stream load in the river mouth along shallow coastlines
with slow currents. New land is formed
, 3
Management Of River Catchment Areas
● Although about 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, only 2% of the earth’s water is freshwater
suitable for human use.
● This freshwater supply comes from rivers, dams and groundwater sources.
● Population growth, the expansion of agriculture and industry, and increasing urbanisation mean more
water is needed.
● People rely on rivers to provide water for many activities.
● Without water, there can be no agriculture, no industry, no business and no development.
● People need water from rivers for their homes.
● Rivers and dams provide people with hydroelectricity.
● Rivers supply us with food, and areas are used for recreational activities, tourism, cultural activities and
settlement.
● Bird and wildlife depend on rivers and the vegetation in the RIPARIAN ZONE.
● Rivers and their catchment areas need to be monitored and managed so that everyone can have access to
water so that the ecosystems of the rivers remain healthy so that flooding can be controlled and
sustainable development can be maintained.
● Do not build within the 50-year flood line of a river.
● Do not take out the natural vegetation around rivers.
● Do not allow overgrazing. Build dams to regulate flooding, but ensure they can cope with the flood
capacity of rivers.
● Build bridges way above the normal level of the river.
● Conserve wetland and marshes as they absorb a lot of the floodwaters.
● Build channels in urban areas that still allow infiltration.
● Build embankments on either side of the channel Cut through meander loops.
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