What is commonly found at the mouth of a river?

The mouth of a river is typically characterized by the formation of a delta. This occurs when the river's flow slows down as it approaches a larger body of water, such as an ocean, sea, or lake, resulting in the deposition of sediments that the river has carried along its journey. These sediments accumulate, creating landforms that often extend into the water body, which is essentially what defines a delta.

Deltas are significant geographical features that provide rich habitats for wildlife and can support human activities, such as agriculture, due to the fertile silt deposits. Moreover, they often create unique ecosystems as freshwater mixes with saltwater, making them biodiverse environments.

While settlements can sometimes be found at river mouths due to the advantages of trade and transportation, it is the physical formation of a delta that is most commonly associated with the river mouth itself. Waterfalls and interlocking spurs are features more typically found upstream in a river system, indicating distinct geological processes that differ from those occurring at the mouth.