Side valley

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A mountain valley that flows almost across the valley of a much richer river is referred to as a side valley (also called a side valley ) . Usually the main valley has several side valleys on each side at intervals of 5 to 20 km, which are often arranged approximately parallel.

In the sense of the classical river order number , pronounced main valleys of the type of a long valley usually have the order {2} or {3}, their side valleys therefore have the order {3} or {4}.
To the definition :
A flowing water flowing into the open sea is of order {1}; it is called a stream for a large catchment area . The largest rivers in Central Europe are the Danube , Elbe , Oder, Rhine and Rhône.

In
terms of usage : The tributaries of these first-order rivers are generally not referred to as side valleys - on the one hand because of their often considerable width, on the other hand because they usually open at a shallow angle (direction of flow similar to the current). Side valleys of the 2nd order exist in the upper reaches of a stream, where the confluence angle can exceed 45 °.

Some examples

Catchment area of ​​the Danube

The Danube {1} has clear side valleys {2} in the mountainous region: Krems, Günz, Lauchert

  • Inn {2} with large side valleys {3}: z. B. Ziller -, Achental, Ötztal , Stanzertal , Val Bernina
    • Salzach {3} with southern hanging valleys {4}: Gastein, Rauris, Kaprun, Stubach, Habach valleys, etc.
    • Wipptal {3} with small side valleys {4}: Stubai, Viggen, Gschnitztal
  • Isar {2} only in the upper reaches: Karwendeltal , Ödkar-, Gleirschtal, Lafatsch

Catchment area of ​​the Rhine

The Rhine itself {1} has besides the Lahn only in the upper reaches of some distinct valleys {2}: Prätigau, Rabiusa, Valser Rhine

  • the Neckar {2} however already in the hill country: Jagst, Enz, Rems etc.
  • the Aare {2} from the middle reaches: Emme {3}, Simmental, Lauterbrunnen etc.
    • the Emmental {3} already largely: Bigental {4}, Frittenbach-, Dürrgraben
  • the Ill {2} with wide trough valleys {3} like Gr. Walsertal, Klostertal.

Geomorphology and Climate

Lateral valley definition

The geomorphology knows a simple means for the Valley Type of inflows classified: the deflection of the contour lines . As a side valley z. For example, every valley shape can be defined in which the contour lines deviate from the main valley by at least 1 km. This divorce in the mountains z. B. all steep trenches in the valley flanks. If hanging valleys predominate , the value can be reduced or measured at a higher altitude.

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