Stream gradient

<p>Stream gradient (or stream slope) is the <a href="/facts/Grade_(slope)/SlyxwANp">grade</a> (or slope) of a <a href="/facts/Stream/S5he7Cuo">stream</a>. It is measured by the ratio of drop in <a href="/facts/Elevation/h2d0u9nd">elevation</a> and horizontal distance. It is a <a href="/facts/Dimensionless_quantity/TINrpQIq">dimensionless quantity</a>, usually expressed in <a href="/facts/Unit_of_measurement/pvTpWbmC">units</a> of <a href="/facts/Metre/hPhzc1CV">meters</a> per <a href="/facts/Kilometre/hdQp79QE">kilometer</a> (m/km) or <a href="/facts/Foot_(length)/XKamEGjV">feet</a> per <a href="/facts/Mile/e22bY569">mile</a> (ft/mi); it may also be expressed in <a href="/facts/Percent/Wugt2XEf">percent</a> (%).
The world average <a href="/facts/River_reach/3MPGoPeE">river reach</a> slope is 2.6 m/km or 0.26%;
a slope smaller than 1% and greater than 4% is considered gentle and steep, respectively.
</p><p>Stream gradient may change along the stream course.
An average gradient can be defined, known as the relief ratio, which gives the average drop in elevation per unit length of river.
The calculation is the difference in elevation between the river's <a href="/facts/Source_(river_or_stream)/08NFsHeG">source</a> and the <a href="/facts/River_terminus/GxdjEX21">river terminus</a> (<a href="/facts/Confluence_(geography)/3ygntlsh">confluence</a> or <a href="/facts/River_mouth/qxKhJCVP">mouth</a>) divided by the total <a href="/facts/Length/EwFyAqGH">length</a> of the river or stream.
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Stream gradient open-in-new

Stream gradient