The upper course of a river is characterized by steep gradients and narrow river channels due to its proximity to the source in mountainous regions. The dominant process here is vertical erosion, which deepens the valley creating steep-sided V-shaped valleys. Strong streams in this region cut down into the rock via downcutting or vertical erosion, forming these valleys. Additionally, the river's need to navigate around areas of hard rock leads to the creation of interlocking spurs. These spurs are formed as the river winds through the landscape, leaving resistant rock formations jutting out as spurs. The overall steepness and narrow channel promote significant erosive action, shaping these unique landforms .

A waterfall forms in a river when there is a sudden change in the rock type within the riverbed, leading to differential erosion. When the river encounters a transition from a resistant rock type to a less resistant one, it erodes the weaker material more quickly. This process creates a sudden drop in the river's gradient, with the resistant rock forming a ledge over which the water falls. The continuous erosion at the base of the waterfall, driven by splashback, undercuts the resistant rock, which eventually collapses. This results in the waterfall periodically retreating upstream. The repeated process of the cap rock collapsing and retreat results in the formation of a gorge of recession over time .

In the upper course, the process of vertical erosion results in a narrow, steep river channel that plays a crucial role in abrading the riverbed and banks, which increases the river's load with sediments including larger particles. This increased load provides more material for corrasion, enhancing the erosive capability of the river. Consequently, geographical features such as V-shaped valleys and interlocking spurs are carved as the river erodes its path through various rock types. The continuous movement of the load downstream also contributes to the formation of features like potholes and rapids, which are derived from differential erosion facilitated by transported sediments .

Lithological variations, or changes in rock type along a river's course, are pivotal in the formation of waterfalls. A waterfall typically forms where a river flows from a hard, resistant rock layer to a softer, less resistant layer beneath. Because the softer rock erodes at a faster rate than the hard rock, a drop or step forms, leading to a vertical fall of water. This process creates a differential gradient, with water accelerating as it falls over the hard rock before impacting the softer rock below, ingraining the waterfall into the landscape. Over time, these changes lead to the retreat of the waterfall upstream, contributing to the development of a gorge .

In the upper course of a river, weathering and erosion processes work closely together to shape the landscape. Vertical erosion aggressively cuts into the riverbed, creating deep valleys and exposing valley sides to various forms of weathering, such as freeze-thaw and biological actions. These weathering processes weaken the rock structure and make it more susceptible to mass movements, where loosened material falls into the river, increasing its erosive power. Thus, the process is cyclical, with erosion deepening the river channel and weathering broadening the valley by breaking down its sides .

Interlocking spurs are formed by a river cutting a deep V-shaped valley in its upper course. Unlike typical valley formations, which might suggest a straight route, a river naturally follows the path of least resistance. It winds around more resistant rock masses rather than eroding through them, leaving these areas as projecting, alternating spurs. Consequently, the less resistant areas are eroded away, and the spurs appear to 'interlock' like the teeth of a zipper. This underlines the river's adaptation to the varying resistance of different rock types encountered along its course .

Potholes in the upper course of a river are formed when sediment and other materials carried by the river scour the riverbed. This occurs in regions where depressions exist in the channel floor. The turbulence in the water causes pebbles to spin around within these depressions, eroding them further through abrasion or corrasion. As the potholes enlarge, larger debris can become trapped, accelerating the erosion process. This continues to deepen and expand the potholes over time .

Rapids are formed when a river flows through an area of alternating layers of resistant and less resistant rocks. The less resistant rocks are eroded more quickly, causing the riverbed to level out inconsistently. This results in the river descending in a series of steps or very short, fast falls along the resistant rocks, producing rapids. Therefore, the geological condition necessary for rapids involves bands of alternating resistant and less resistant rocks .

A gorge of recession forms as a waterfall retreats upstream due to continuous erosion processes. As water flows over a resistant cap rock, it undercuts the softer rock beneath, forming a plunge pool. Eventually, the unsupported cap rock collapses, causing the waterfall to move upstream. This retreating action results in the formation of a gorge, which is a deep, narrow valley with steep sides. Over geological time, the continuing retreat at a stable rate can lead to significant changes in the landscape, creating dramatic gorges. These features not only indicate past rates of erosion and geological activity but also influence drainage patterns and can impact ecosystems by altering water flow and sediment transport .

Vertical erosion, or downcutting, is crucial in the formation of V-shaped valleys in the upper course of a river. This type of erosion results from the strong vertical action of water cutting deeply into the valley floor. As the valley deepens rapidly due to this vertical erosion, the slopes of the valley become exposed to weathering processes such as freeze-thaw and biological mechanisms, which weaken the sides. Subsequent mass movement introduces the eroded material from the valley sides into the river channel, enhancing the erosive power of the river. Together, these processes carve out the distinctive V-shape of these valleys, a signature feature of the youthful stage of a river's course .