The Bradshaw Model
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 1.4.1
The Bradshaw Model
The Bradshaw Model is a theory which explains how a river’s characteristics change as you move downstream.
The Bradshaw Model
- The Bradshaw Model shows how different river characteristics vary between the upper course and lower course of a river.
Increasing factors downstream
- The following river characteristics increase as the distance downstream increases:
- Discharge.
- Channel width.
- Channel depth.
- Average velocity.
- Load quantity.
Decreasing factors downstream
- The following river characteristics all decrease with increasing distance towards the mouth:
- Load particle size.
- Channel bed roughness.
- Slope angle or gradient.
Test yourself on The Bradshaw Model
What is the name given to the theory which explains how a river’s characteristics change as you move downstream?
Which of the following river characteristics increases as the distance downstream increases?
Which of the following river characteristics decreases with increasing distance towards the mouth?