- Upper course
- Middle Course
- Lower course
UPPER COURSE:
This is also known as youthful stage. The upper course of a river starts from the source near the watershed as the water flows very swiftly due to the steepness of slope. This course of river is predicated by the action of erosion, which in the end develops a deep, narrow and distinct U- shaped valley.
MIDDLE COURSE:
This is a transitional section linking the upper and lower courses. The main action of a river at this course is corrosion of the riverbed and deposition.
LOWER COURSE:
This is the lower portion of the river where the river reaches its mouth as it flows across an almost level plain, where the slop of its bed is gentle. The main action of the river is that of deposition.