River Systems- Current Flow Patterns

In a river ecosystem, there are several different types of water flow patterns that can be found, each with its own characteristics and effects on the fish and other aquatic life.

These are drastically impacted by the flow of water as well as the water levels of each fishery and often times rivers are not all alike in terms of how they react to natural circumstances like weather systems.

River ledges and bottom compositions of rivers are also an integral factor in how a river will react as increasing or decreasing water flows beset the ecosystem.

An eddy is a circular flow of water that rotates in the opposite direction of the main current. Eddies can be formed by rocks, logs, or other obstructions in the river. They often provide fish with a place to rest, feed and avoid the main current.

A seam is a boundary between two different currents, usually with one flowing faster than the other. Seams can be formed by the meeting of two different currents, such as a tributary and the main river. They often provide fish with a place to feed as the faster current pushes food into the slower one.

Current flows are the general movement of water in a river. They can vary in speed and direction and can be affected by factors such as water level, season, and weather. Fish will often use the current to help them move upstream to spawn or to help them move downstream to forage for food.

In summary, eddies are circular flow of water that rotate in the opposite direction of the main current, often formed by rocks, logs or other obstructions in the river, and providing a place for fish to rest and feed. Seams are boundaries between two different currents, often formed by the meeting of two different currents, providing a place for fish to feed. Current flows are the general movement of water in a river, varying in speed and direction, often used by fish to move upstream to spawn or to move downstream to forage for food.