Drainage baisin

Question 1

What is the drainage basin

Answer 1

The catchment area from which a river system obtains its water

Question 2

Watershed

Answer 2

Line that separates one drainage basin from another

Question 3

Drainage basin system

Answer 3

Open system with inputs and outputs. Energy from sun, water can be lost from the basin through evapotranspiration, runoff into the sea and water percolating into underground stores

Question 4

Precipitation

Answer 4

Water enters drainage basin system as precipitation. Drips through leaves, stored as puddles

Question 5

Groundwater flow

Answer 5

Feeds rivers through banks and bed

Question 6

Infiltration capacity

Answer 6

rate of infiltration. varies based on soil type. thin, frozen, saturated soils have low infiltration capacity.

Question 7

Overland flow

Answer 7

If water is unable to percolate it runs off the surface as overland flow, flowing across a large area

Question 8

Throughflow

Answer 8

Once in soil, water can be stored in soil water or pass through as throughflow, dependent on depth and texture of the soil

Question 9

Water balance

Answer 9

Balance between inpuits, outputs. Helps hydrologists plan for future water supply and flood control