Question

The headwaters of a river are at an elevation of 1,229 feet and the river flows 373 miles to the ocean. Determine the river's average gradient in ft/mi. Give your answer with 2 decimals.

Answer 1

3.29ft/mi

Step-by-step explanation:

The gradient of a river is the slope through which a river flows. It measures the vertical drop in elevation of river to the horizontal distance.

Mathematically;

River gradient =
`(Elevation)/(horizontal distance)`

Elevation = 1229ft

Horizontal distance = 373miles

River gradient =
`(1229)/(373)` = 3.29ft/mi