Name two sources of rivers.

KCSE Geography Paper 1 2008 Section B Question 8.

a) i) Name two sources of rivers. 

• Lakes.
• Melting ice/snow.
• Springs.
• Swamps.
• Surface run off.

​ii) The diagram below shows the three stages of the long profile of a river.

Give two features formed by the rivers in each of the three stages.

Youthful stage:

• Rapids/water fall/cascades/cataracts.
• V-shaped valleys/canyons/gorges.
• Potholes.
• Plunge pools.
• Interlocking spurs.

Mature stage:

• Meanders.
• River cliff/bluff.
• Slip-off- slopes.
• Alluvial fans.
• Wide v-shaped valleys
• Braids.

Old stage:

• Meanders.
• Ox-bow lakes.
• Braided channel/isles.
• Flood plain.
• Levees.
• Deferred tributaries.
• River terraces.
• Distributaries/deltas.
• Bluffs/ meander scars. 

​b) Describe the processes by which a river transports its load. 

• Traction process:- the large and heavy loads of the river are rolled/dragged along the river bed by the force of the moving water and gravity.
• Saltation:- some large fragments that cannot remain suspended in the water are momentarily lifted and dropped by water turbulence. The series of leaps and hops move the load down the river.
• Suspension:- light insoluble materials such as sand and silt grains are carried and maintained within the water by river turbulence and transported downstream.
• Solution process: the soluble minerals/materials are dissolved in the river water and carried away.

c) Describe each of the following drainage patterns;

(i) Dendritic pattern:-

• It developes in areas where rocks have uniform structure.
• The direction of flow is influenced by the slope of the land.
• The tributaries join the main river at acute angles.
• The tributaries converge on the main river forming a shape like that of a tree and its branches.

(ii) Trellis pattern :

• The pattern develops where soft and hard rocks alternate vertically
• The tributaries join the main river at right angles.
• The consequent streams are parallel to the main rivet
• Some obsequent streams flow to the opposite direction from the main river.
• The main river and its tributaries form a rectilinear pattern

​i) State two methods you would use to collect data. 

• Observation/digging up the deposits to expose the inner layers.
• Collecting samples.
• Taking photographs.
• Interviewing.

​ii) State three advantages of studying the work of rivers through fieldwork. 

• It enables one to collect first hand information.
• It promotes development of practical skills.
• It promotes application of acquired knowledge.
• One is able to develop skills of data analysis.
• It makes the study of rivers more interesting.
• It creates awareness of the environment 

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