The basic definition of a whitewater river is simply a river that has quite a few rapids along its length. The whitewater itself is formed in the rapids, when the river drops suddenly enough to let the water drop rapidly which then makes the water churn and froth enough to form whitewater, or basically foamy water.
Types and Features of Whitewater Rivers
Whitewater rivers are classified into six different categories worldwide. The ratings range from one, the easiest, to six, the hardest. The grades also refer to how technically difficult and dangerous the river and rapids are. The whitewater rivers rating can change over time, depending on how quickly the water is flowing through the river, and also how deep the river is at that particular time. When a whitewater river is flooding, it may become more dangerous and difficult because the water is flowing much faster and is much deeper.
Whitewater rivers can have many different features along their path. These features all have their own names. Strainers are a blockage of the river that still lets the water run around and partially through it. Strainers are very dangerous features of whitewater rivers because...