Chapter 10 - part 1 Flashcards
- What is a drainage basin?
The area of land drained by a river or river system.
- How does a typical drainage basin vary from its highest point to its lowest point?
At the highest point,
- the gradient is steeper - higher velocity
- channel size: smaller
- shape/ratio: higher width to depth ratio at top
- sediment load: coarser sediment at the top
- discharge: more water at the bottom
How is sediment created in a river?
Weathering creates sediment.
How does EROSION occur in a river?
because of the impact of:
MOVING WATER
IMPACT of other moving sediment
HYDRAULIC LIFT
How does TRANSPORT occur in a river?
SOLUTION
SUSPENSION
SALTATION
TRACTION
How does DEPOSITION occur in a river?
Occurs when water velocity drops.
Solution deposition occurs with precipitation.
- How does a river erode, transport and deposit sediment?
Basic processes:
- WEATHERING creates sediment.
- EROSION in a river occurs because of the impact of moving water, impact of other moving sediment and hydraulic lift
- TRANSPORT (through solution, suspension, saltation and traction)
- DEPOSITION occurs when water velocity drops (solution deposition occurs with precipitation)
- When does a river erode, transport and deposit most of its sediment load?
Most sediment movement takes place during rare, brief episodes of increased discharge (a flood).
- BRAIDED RIVER
- Number of channels:more than 1
- Size of channel:smaller
- Shape of Channelhigher w/d ratio
- Discharge:variable
- Sediment Load:poorly sorted coarse or large moving as bedload
- Gradient:Steep
- MEANDERING RIVER
- Number of channels:1
- Size of channel:larger
- Shape of ChannelLower w/d ratio
- Discharge:consistent and stable (uniform)
- Sediment loadwell sorted, fine or small moving in suspension
- Gradient
shallower
Braided Rivers are found ____ in the drainage basin
higher up in the drainage basin
Meandering Rivers are found ____ in the drainage basin
lower down in the drainage basin
- DISCHARGE
The volume of water moving in a river in a certain amount of time.
- BANKFULL DISCHARGE
The maximum amount of water in the channel. (Often the dominant discharge)
- DOMINANT DISCHARGE
The volume of water in the channel that does the most work.
Work is measured by the amount of sediment that is moved.
- DOMINANT DISCHARGE
The volume of water in the channel that does the most work.
Work is measured by the amount of sediment that is moved.
This is often bankfull discharge.
- FLOOD
A flood is an even when there is more discharge than the channel can accommodate.
(this extra water leaves the channel and goes onto the flood plain; assuming there is one.)
- FLOODPLAIN
A flat, low-lying area along a stream channel. The area of land next to the river channel used to store excess water (temporarily) and sediment (longterm)
- How often do rivers flood?
Rarely.
- Which river, braided or meandering is most likely to produce a catastrophic flood?
Both rivers are capable of creating a catastrophic flooding event.
While a flood in a braided river may be more violent (faster water), it will be shorter in duration.
A flood in a meandering system may be less violent (slower water) but last longer.
Also, a flood in a braided system will arrive sooner, whereas in a meandering system it may arrive later after the precipitation event.
- Flooding in a braided system (see photo)
The excess water of a flood will enter the channel very soon after the rainfall event.
Discharge will increase quickly and reach a maximum value quickly
Just as quickly, discharge will drop as this excess water passes through the river.
Potentially a lot of sediment will be moved.
Braided rivers usually lack a flood plain so water and sediment continue to move during a flood.
- Flooding in a braided system (see photo)
The excess water of a flood will enter the channel very soon after the rainfall event.
Discharge will increase quickly and reach a maximum value quickly
Just as quickly, discharge will drop as this excess water passes through the river.
Potentially a lot of sediment will be moved.
Braided rivers usually lack a flood plain so water and sediment continue to move during a flood.
- Flooding in a meandering system (see photo)
Excess water from precipitation will enter the system more slowly.
This means that discharge will increase starting later after precipitation, reach a lower maximum value over a longer period of time, and then decrease slow over time.
In a meandering river, less sediment may be removed from the system. More might be deposited or simply moved within the system.
- Explain the effects that saturated ground has on flooding
Where the ground is saturated with water, any extra water will remain on the surface.
As a result it will travel quicker into the river contributing to a more rapid increase in discharge.