Stage 1 of river formation involves vertical erosion as potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. Large sediments like boulders are deposited due to low energy levels. Stage 2 sees increased velocity and lateral erosion as the river gains kinetic energy. Smaller sediments result from attrition in the water allowing more material to be carried downstream. Stage 3 has high kinetic energy but lower turbulence, so only small particles like silt and sand are deposited on the floodplain during flooding.

1. Long profile
Stage 1. Highabove sealevel whichgivesitlots
of potential energy. Vertical erosioncreates
narrow valleyfloorswithsteeplyslopedsides.
The rough channel bedcausesturbulence and
the rough jaggedsediment(rocksandboulders)
are draggedalongthe riverbedcausingthe river
to erode vertically.
Thisstage has verylittle energytocarry large
piecesof sedimentsobouldersandpebblesare
deposited.
Stage 2. Potential energyistransferredinto
kineticenergyandthe rivergainsvelocity. Mainly
lateral erosionwhichwidensthe channel.
Attritionhappeninginthe watererodesthe
sedimentmakingthe loadmuchsmaller.This
meansthat more sedimentcanbe carried. The
frictioncreatedbythe riverbedlessensthe
energyof the watercausingmore deposition.
Stage 3. Inthisstage there islittle potential
energyandlotsof kineticenergysothe water
movesfaster. There islesserosiondue tothe
decrease inturbulence inthe water(less
friction).Althoughthe velocityanddischarge are
at theirpeeksatthisstage of the river.
Small particlessuchassiltsand sandare
depositedonthe floodplainwhenthe river
floodsmakingthe floodplainfertile.
V-shapedvalleys,with interlocking
spurs.
Waterfall causesbyundercuttingof the riverprofile
whichleadstorock fall.
Knickpoint,thisiswhere there has
been a change inthe sealevel or
heightof the landand the riverhas
had to verticallyerodethe profile to
reach the riverquicker.
The possible creationof deltas
as material isdepositedatthe
source as the riverloses
energy.