Final answer:
The amount and type of load carried by a river in its downstream direction are affected by factors such as the presence of a reservoir and operation of a dam, widening of the channel and slower current, and environmental factors like precipitation patterns and land use. These factors influence water temperatures, chemistry, flow characteristics, silt loads, and river discharge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount and type of load carried by a river in its downstream direction are affected by several factors. Firstly, the presence of a reservoir and operation of a dam can alter water temperatures, chemistry, flow characteristics, and silt loads, leading to changes in the ecology and physical characteristics of the river. Secondly, as a river or stream flows away from its source, the width of the channel gradually widens and the current slows down. This slow-moving water has more sedimentation, resulting in the transport of larger and heavier loads downstream. Thirdly, environmental factors such as precipitation patterns, vegetation, topography, land use, and soil characteristics influence river discharge, which determines the volume of water moving through the river channel. Surface runoff, groundwater seepage, and contributions from tributaries can all affect the amount and type of load carried by the river in its downstream direction.