Land uses
Land use varies with each course of a river.
Farming
Upper course
- Mainly hill sheep farmingWhen sheep are reared on grass and are kept to produce meat and wool. because of poor soils, steep slopes, cold weather, high rainfall and exposed hillsides.
Middle course
- A mixture of dairy farmingWhen cows are milked to make a profit. and arable farmingWhen crops are grown. as slopes are gentler, soil is more fertile and the weather is better. Flatter land also makes it easier for cattle to graze and machines to work the fields.
Lower course
- Deep fertile alluvial soils on the floodplain of the river allow crops to be grown.
- Weather is much better which allows crops to ripen before harvest.
- Much flatter land allows machinery to be used.
- Dairy farms are close to settlements to sell their produce.
Forestry
Upper course
- Thin soils, steep slopes and poor weather conditions may make forestryAn area of trees. more economical than farmingThe cultivation of plants or rearing of animals for food..
Industry
Lower course
- On the flat land of the floodplain close to the sea, heavy industryThe type of work that people do. such as iron and steel works are located because of the large amount of flat land required, eg River Tees.
- Raw materials can be transported to factories by river, eg oil to Grangemouth oil refinery on the River Forth.
Recreation and tourism
Upper course
- sightseeingA leisure activity when people visit places of interest., eg waterfalls
- gorge walkingA leisure activity when people walk, swim, climb and jump through the steep sides of a river and its valley.
- fishingWhen people catch fish., eg salmon
- canoeingA leisure activity where people use a small open boat (canoe) to travel on a river. and white water raftingA leisure activity where people use an inflatable raft and paddles to navigate a river.
Middle course
- Gentler slopes and good access via roads and railways to both lower and upper course features means lots of touristSomeone who travels for recreation or business purposes. stay here in B&Bs (often provided by farmers) and caravan and campsites.
- Fishing is a good source of income for landowners.
Water storage and supply
Upper course
- reservoirA man-made pool of water used to store drinking water. - damA large concrete wall built to trap water in a reservoir. have been placed across fast flowing rivers where V-shaped valleys are narrow (easy to dam) and high rainfall means lots of water can be collected for towns lower down the valley. Where rocks are impermeable water storageWhen water is kept in a place for future use. is easy as the water does not drain away.
Renewable energy
Upper course
- hydroelectric power (HEP)Energy generated from fast-flowing water. can be generated in the upper courseThe highest section of a river located in the mountains. of a river because of high rainfall and steep slopes which provide fast flowing water to turn turbines and generate electricity.