What are the different stages of river formation?

Youth or upper -Usually starts off flowing quickly down steep slopes -usually erode the earth quickly -soft rock eroded quickly -If faster flowing, erodes quicker -Produces interlocking spurs Middle or Maturity Stage -Changes course more frequently -Cuts into the banks on the outsides of the curves -along the inside of the curves sediment is deposited -when river washes back against a valley spur it cuts back against into a steep bank or bluff -Oxbow lakes or loops are caused when changing course cuts off a meander. -Will have received water from many tributaries -Transport more sediment How Materials are transported -Lightest particles are suspended in water -Heavier particles are bounced along river bottom -Pebbles and heavy rocks are dragged along bottom Old or Lower Stage -old rivers meander slowly and aimlessly -rivers deposit much of the loads they have carried through the mature stage -the loads consist of light particles such as mud or sand this is called alluvium -it is deposited along the river bed -water level might be higher than that of the plain this is caused by the deposition of sediment causing high levees or banks -sand and mud at the river mouth may be deposited and form a delta