Riverside facts & stats

Question 1

Where a river begins is called its what?

Accepted Answer

Source. The source is where a river starts; the mouth is where it ends at a sea, lake or larger river.

Question 2

Which animal is famous for building dams across streams and rivers?

Accepted Answer

Beaver. Beavers build dams from branches and mud, creating ponds where they build their lodges.

Question 3

What is the place where two rivers join called?

Accepted Answer

Confluence. A confluence is where two rivers meet and flow on together.

Question 4

What is a curved lake formed when a river meander is cut off called?

Accepted Answer

Oxbow lake. When a river cuts across the neck of a loop, the old bend is left behind as an oxbow lake.

Question 5

Which fish is famous for swimming upstream from the ocean to spawn in the river where it hatched?

Accepted Answer

Salmon. Many salmon return from the sea to their home streams to lay eggs.

Question 6

On a river bend, where does erosion usually happen fastest?

Accepted Answer

On the outside of the bend. Faster water on the outer bank cuts into it, while slower water on the inside deposits sediment.

Question 7

What is an estuary?

Accepted Answer

Where a river meets the sea and fresh water mixes with salt water. Estuaries hold brackish water and are rich nurseries for fish and birds.

The basics