2.2 Rivers Flashcards
Tributary?
A stream which joins a larger river
Drainage basin
The area of land drained by a river system (a river and its tributaries).
Watershed
A ridge or other line of separation between two river systems.
Confluence
The point at which two rivers meet
Interception
The precipitation that is collected and stored by vegetation
Infiltration
The movement of water into the soil. The rate at which water enters the soil (the infiltration rate) depends on the intensity of rainfall, the permeability of the soil, and the extent to which it is already saturated with water
Throughflow
The downslope movement of water in the subsoil
Evaporation
The process in which liquid turns into a vapour
Overland flow
Overland movement of water after rainfall. It is the fastest way in which water reaches a river. The amount of overland runoff increases with heavy and prolonged rainfall, steep gradients, lack of veg, and saturated or frozen soil
what is CASH
Corrasion, attrition, solution, hydraulic action
what is corrasion
The wearing away of the bed and bank by the load carried by a river
Attrition?
The wearing away of the load carried by a river. It creates smaller, rounder particles
Hydraulic action
The forces of air and water on the sides of rivers in cracks
Groundwater flow
The movement of water from land to river through rock. It is the slowest form of such water movement, and accounts for the constant flow of water in rivers during times of low rainfall
Suspension
Small particles are held up by turbulent flow in the river
Saltation
Heavier particles are bounced or bumped along the bed of the river.
Solution?
The removal of chemical ions, especially calcium, which cause rocks to dissolve.
The chemical load is carried dissolved in the water.