European rivers can be classified based on their watersheds and the oceans they flow into. There are 5 major watersheds - the Arctic, Atlantic, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Caspian Sea watersheds. Rivers in different watersheds vary in their volume of flow, with those in the Arctic watershed having the largest volumes and those in the Mediterranean watershed having the lowest, more irregular volumes due to drought. European lakes can also be classified based on their locations, with northern lakes generally being larger and deeper while southern lakes are smaller and not as deep.

1. RIVERS AND LAKES

2. EUROPEAN RIVERS
Caracteristics:
• Relatively long
• Average volume of flow (corriente media)
• Many are navigable by boat
• Many are used as travel routes

3. EUROPEAN RIVERS
Classification:
• By WATERSHED = area of land where surface water from
rain, melting snow, or ice converges to a single point at a
lower elevation, where the waters join another waterbody,
such as a river, lake, sea, ocean…

4. EUROPEAN RIVERS
Classification of European rivers:
• According to the ocean they flow into.
• Rivers flows down these watersheds into the ocean or sea.
• In Europe, there are 5 watersheds (or river bassins).

5. 1. The Arctic watershed:
• Rivers that empty into the Arctic Ocean.
• Large volume of flow.
• They freeze in winter.
Pechora
Northern Dvina

6. 2. The Atlantic watershed:
• Rivers with greatest volume in Europe.
• Because they flow accross zones with abundant rainfall.
Western Dvina
Vistula
Oder
Elbe
Rhine

7. 3. The Mediterranean watershed:
• Low, irregular volume of flow.
• Because of droughts in the summer.
Ebro
Po
Rhone

8. 4. The Black Sea watershed:
• Very long rivers.
• Greater volume.
Danube
Dniester

9. 5. The Caspian Sea watershed:
• Long rivers with a large volume of flow.
• The longest river in Europe: the Volga.
Volga

10. EUROPEAN LAKES
A lake:
• Body of water surrounded by land.
• In Europe, lakes are grouped by location.
Northern lakes
Larger and deeper
(Sweden, Norway,
Finland, Russia…)
Southern lakes
Smaller and not
very deep
(Lake Albufera in
Spain)
Alpine lakes
Found in the
mountains
(the Alps in
Switzerland, Italy…)