The lower course of a river is the final stage of a river’s journey, where it meets another body of water, such as the sea, an ocean, a loch, or another river . The volume of water in a river is at its greatest in the lower course due to the contribution of water from tributaries. The river channel is deep and wide, and the land around the river is flat . Energy in the river is at its lowest, and deposition occurs .
Floodplains are associated with rivers in their middle and lower course. They are extensive, flat areas of land mostly covered by grass. Floodplains are formed during flood conditions. During a flood, water containing large quantities of alluvium (river silt) pours over the flat valley floor. The water slowly recedes, leaving behind the deposited sediment. Over hundreds of years, repeated flooding forms a thick alluvial deposit, which is fertile and often used for farming. Floodplains become wider due to the lateral erosion of meanders by abrasion and hydraulic action. When the outside bend of a meander meets the edge of the river valley, erosion will cut into it, thereby widening the valley and removing interlocking spurs. As meanders slowly migrate downstream, the entire length of the valley will eventually be widened .
Levees are formed when a river floods, and more substantial material and the majority of deposition occurs next to the river channel as the result of increased friction (with the flood plain). The velocity of the river slows and therefore rapidly reduces its ability to transport material. This leaves a ridge of higher material next to the river channel on both banks of the river known as a levee .
Estuaries are wide, sheltered bodies of water found at a rivers mouth where it broadens into the sea. It is a combination of saltwater from the sea and freshwater from a river. As the river meets the sea at high tide, it slows the flow of water leading to deposition. Mudflats and saltmarsh form in these areas. The mudflats can be seen at low tide but are covered by water at high tide. Over time, the mud flats can become colonized with vegetation forming salt marshes .
Deltas are often found at the mouth of large rivers. Deltas are formed when a river deposits material faster than the sea can erode it. The Nile Delta is an example of a delta. Deltas are formed when a river deposits material faster than the sea can erode it. The Nile Delta is an example of a delta .