river profile The slope of the long profile of a river, expressed as a graph of distance-from-source against height. It is generally concave-up, and this downstream reduction in gradient may be a consequence of the decreasing energy needed to transfer greater discharge and finer load. In detail, however, it is typically compound, with the profiles of individual segments reflecting the local rock types. It may be broken by knick points.

river profile The slope along the bed of a river, expressed as a graph of distance-from-source against height. In detail it is typically compound, with the profiles of individual segments reflecting the local rock types. It may be broken by knick points.