Bradshaw model

The Bradshaw Model is a geographical model which describes how a river's characteristics vary between the upper course and lower course of a river. It shows that discharge, occupied channel width, channel depth and average load quantity increase downstream. Load particle size, channel bed roughness and gradient are all characteristics that decrease. This is represented by triangles; an increase in the size of a triangle represents an increase in the variable. Generally it shows the characteristics we expect to see in a river, but due to the nature of rivers and the ever changing environment in which we live not all rivers fit the model perfectly; therefore the model is usually used in order to compare natural rivers to concepts laid down by the model.