White Water Rafting Rapids

whitewater rapids

Of prime interest to whitewater rafters whitewater rapids are a section of a stream where the water loses elevation over a short distance.

A locally steepened gradient causes an increased water flow and a turbulence kown as a rapid or whitewater. A whitewater rapid is a hydrological feature between a run and a cascade. A whitewater rapid becomes shallower and often exposes rocks exposed above the river surface. As swift white water splashes over and around the rocks bubbles of air mix with the water and the mass takes on a white color, called "whitewater". Whitewater rafters find thrill in running these rapids in specially designed whitewater rafts.

Whitewater rapids occur where the river bed material is resistant to the erosive power of the stream in comparison with the bed downstream of the whitewater rapids. Young streams flowing across solid rock may be whitewater rapids for much of their length.

You should go whitewater rafting - it is alot of fun!