1.1 RIVERS Flashcards
Input
Water added to system through precipitation
Drainage basin
Area of land drained by a main river + it’s tributaries. Marked by watershed
Output
Water lost from system
Transfers
Process where water flows through system
Percolation
Water moving downwards through soil
Surface storage
Water lays on ground - puddles or lakes
Soil moisture
Water stored in soil or broken rocks near the surface
Transpiration
Loss of water from plants and vegetation
Infiltration
Surface water enters soil
Discharge =
Velocity x cross sectional area
Lag time
The time between peak rainfall and peak discharge
Suspension
Fine light material carried by the river
Traction
Large rocks and boulders roll along river bed
Solution
Some minerals dissolve in the water
Saltation
Smaller stones bounce along river bed
Sinuosity
How bendy a river is
Near the river’s source it is…
…a valley with narrow floor and steep sides
During the river’s middle it has…
… A wide floor and gentle slopes
At the river’s end it has…
… A wide floor and gentle sides
Outside of meander =
Fast flow + erosion
Inside of meander =
Slow flow + deposition
Boscastle effects
Damage worth
£50 million
Boscastle effects
Hight of water
10 meters
Boscastle effects
Precipitation in 2hours
6cm
Boscastle effects
Speed of river
40MPH
Boscastle effects
People evacuated
60