Factors affecting river discharge Flashcards
What is the lag period?
It is the time between water falling to the ground and finally reaching the river channel.
What have short lag periods; circular or straight?
Circular drainage basins have shorter lag periods because the water is at a more vertical angle.
What affects does having a small basin have on lag period?
It decreases it as water is more likely to reach the channel faster.
What affect does the rock type have on the river discharge levels?
If the rocks are less dense then they will allow for infiltration, instead of water running off the surface.
How would granite affect the discharge of a river?
Granite is impermeable, therefore it does not allow water to penetrate, therefore increasing the flow of a river, by meaning it remains on the surface of the Earth.
How does the type of Soil affect the river discharge?
If the soil is impermeable such as clay soil then it will mean that the water remains on the earth’s surface, whereas if it is permeable such as sandy soil then it will penetrate through. If it penetrates through there will be less water in the river, therefore a smaller discharge.
