The classifications given on basis of topography of river reaches are river in hills (upper reaches), rivers in plains (lower reaches), and tidal rivers.

Before entering plains upper reaches of rivers flow through hills, hence name river in hills. These are furr subdivided into a rocky river stage, and boulder river stage.

In this type of stage of river flow is formed by rapid erosion. These river reaches have high steep with swift flow, and form rapids along ir courses. The bed load carried by se reaches cannot be determined by usual bed load transportation formulas.

The river bed in se reaches is created by itself, consists a mixture of boulders, gravels, shingles, and alluvial sand deposits. In latter stage, river flows through deep well defined beds and wider floodplains. Here river flows in a straight course. Due to floods, boulders and material travels downward and gets deposited re after floods. Because of opposition to flow due to se obstructions river takes new course and thus widens river bed.

The chief character of river in se reaches is that it flows in a zigzag manner called meandering. This meandering is due to difference in carrying sediment which is similar to bed load from one bank to or bank of river.

River in floodplains is furr divided into aggrading, degrading, stable, braided, and deltaic types.

In se reaches re is a constant erosion of river bed on concave side and deposition of eroded soil on convex side of successive bends or between two successive bends.

This type of river is formed due to silting action which increases bed slope. This silting action is due to various factors like heavy sediment load, construction of obstructions like dam or a weir, and sudden intrusion from a tributary.

This type of river is formed due to constant erosion to reduce and finally dissipate available excess land scape. It is found below a dam or weir or barrage or above a cut off.

This is braided river as flow is around alluvial islands. These islands are developed due deposition of coarser material which cannot be transported under existing conditions of flow, consisting of coarse and fine material.