Rapids are sections of a river where the river bed has a relatively steep gradient , causing an increase in water velocity and turbulence . Flow, gradient, constriction, and obstacles are four factors that are needed for a rapid to be created.
6-709: Inga Falls is a rapid 40 km from Matadi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the Congo River drops 96 m (315 ft) over the course of 15 km (9 mi). The falls are part of a larger group of rapids in the lower Congo River. Livingstone Falls are located upstream closer to the Pool Malebo . These falls have formed in a sharp bend of Congo River where the width of river fluctuates from more than 4 km to only 260 m. With
12-489: A median discharge of 42,476 m³/s (1,500,000 ft³/s), the falls could be considered the largest in the world, but it is not widely considered to be a true waterfall. Its maximum recorded volume is 70,793 m³/s (2,500,000 ft³/s). Inga falls is also the site of two large hydroelectric dams , named Inga I and Inga II , as well as two projected dams, Inga III and the Grand Inga Dam , the latter of which would be
18-446: The largest (by power production) in the world. This Democratic Republic of the Congo location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Rapids Rapids are hydrological features between a run (a smoothly flowing part of a stream ) and a cascade. Rapids are characterized by the river becoming shallower with some rocks exposed above the flow surface. As flowing water splashes over and around
24-400: The rocks, air bubbles become mixed in with it and portions of the surface acquire a white color, forming what is called " whitewater ". Rapids occur where the bed material is highly resistant to the erosive power of the stream in comparison with the bed downstream of the rapids. Very young streams flowing across solid rock may be rapids for much of their length. Rapids cause water aeration of
30-422: The stream or river, resulting in better water quality. For a rapid to form, a necessary condition is the presence of a gradient, which refers to the river or stream's downward slope. When a river has a larger gradient, the water flows downhill faster. Gradients are typically measured in feet per mile. This impacts the river's flow or discharge , which is measured as a volume of water per unit of time. The faster
36-494: The water flows, the more likely a rapid will form. Rapids are categorized in classes , generally running from I to VI. A Class 5 rapid may be categorized as Class 5.1-5.9. While Class I rapids are easy to navigate and require little maneuvering, Class VI rapids pose threat to life with little or no chance for rescue. River rafting sports are carried out where many rapids are present in the course. Constriction refers to when rivers flow through narrower channels, thus increasing
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