CONFLUENCE - where bodies of water meet. Typically with rivers of near equal width, the junction of the water flow. In this instance, where the Clear and West Fork tributaries of the Trinity River meet.
RIVER - a watercourse moving water from high to low elevations - or divides. A divide determines a river's flow direction. Water is collected via surface runoff, groundwater recharge and stored water release in natural reservoirs, such as glaciers. Rivers begin at a water source and drain to seas or lakes at their mouths. Along its length, it may be joined by smaller channels called tributaries.
TRIBUTARY - a river which flows into a mainstream (parent) river and not directly into a sea.
At a mass of 8.33 pounds per gallon, water in motion is a strong erosional force.
The four types of river erosion are:
• Abrasion - when large materials in bed load wear away river banks and beds.
• Attrition - when bed load itself erodes, becoming more rounded and smaller.
• Hydraulic - when the force of water erodes rock.
• Solution - when acidic water erodes rock.
The Baer-Babinet Law - Earth's rotation influences river formation. The law hypothesizes stronger erosion on right banks in the Northern Hemisphere, and on left banks in the Southern Hemisphere.
At the confluence, the Clear Fork flows from the southwest and the West Fork from the northwest.
1) Are the two forks of equal width? Is this typical with a river confluence?
2) Is erosion present? If so, what type and is it stronger on the left, right or both banks?
3) Submit a photograph with your answers or post it in your e-log.