River Hazards: Upstream and Downstream Vs

Upstream Vs and downstream Vs are also hazards found on rivers. Upstream Vs indicate an underwater obstruction, and downstream Vs indicate an open channel.

Upstream Vs

An upstream V is formed by an obstruction in the water that creates a V that points upstream. The location of the V depends upon the depth of the obstruction.

• Sometimes the V may be right on top of the obstruction.
• If the obstruction is deeper, the V would be downstream from it.

Downstream Vs

A downstream V is formed when water is funneled (constricted) between two obstructions and forms a V that points downstream. A series of multiple standing waves are known as haystacks or wave trains. In urban areas, they may indicate multiple submerged vehicles.