Rapids

Rapids

Usually, rapids is part of a river where the current runs very swiftly.Its is also a section of a river where the river bed has a relatively steep gradient causing an increase in water turbulence and water velocity. A rapid is also characterised by the river becoming shallower and having some rocks exposed above the flow surface.Rapids occur where the bed material is highly resistant to the erosive power of the stream in comparison with the bed downstream of the rapids.Very young streams flowing across solid rock may be rapids.

Rapids form in a similar way to waterfalls. The river bed drops down steeply, but not as a cliff, otherwise a waterfall would form. Rapids can often be found above waterfalls where the river bed is starting to drop. Rapids form a layer of hard rock on the river bed. Rapids are found in the upper course of the river.

-Samantha lye