Cross-Profile – The side to side cross-section of a river channel and/or valley

CROSS – Think ACROSS

To remember the meaning of the term Cross-Profile, use the following mnemonic:

Across this section of the river is the profile (cross profile) she needed. If she knew it was shallow, she might be able to cross this section of the river.

Below is a cross profile of a river:

Below is a cross profile of a valley:

Cross-profiles of a river, taken from different points along the river's journey, show very clearly the differences between the upper and lower reaches of the river. Near the source, the profile shows a relatively narrow, V-shaped profile. Further downstream, nearer the sea, the profile is wider and a gentler U-shape.