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River Feshie
The River Feshie at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains is a highly active
gravel bed river. In Britain today, it is one of the most important sites for
the study of fluvial geomorphology as it allows the study of active channel
and landform change, both in the present and in the past. Both present day
and relict landforms exist at the site, including multiple river channels,
sedimentary structures and landforms relating to the valley slopes and floor.
All these have been studied to provide a record of the evolution of the landscape
over the last 13,000 years.
Deglaciation activity has resulted in the deposition of large quantities of
sand and gravel in alluvial fans. The result of the meltwater activity is also
to be found in the presence of eskers and kettle holes in upper Glen Feshie.
Debris cones are also abundant, the result of both deglaciation and non-glacial
erosion over the last 13,000 thousand years.
Post-glacial activity has resulted in the formation of several river terraces,
often displaying well preserved palaeochannels (both braided and single channels).
Today, the river remains highly active, with local lateral movement exceeding
10m per year. This is due to the high stream power and generally unconsolidated
nature of the sediments surrounding the river system. Floods also affect the
channel system every few years.
Further reading:
Gregory, K.J. 1997. Fluvial Geomorphology of Great Britain, Geological Conservation
Review Series No. 13, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.
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