Hydrology and Fluvial Geomorphology: Discharge relationships within drainage basins Flashcards
What is a storm hydrograph?
It shows how the discharge of a river varies over a short time.
What is the rising limb?
It shows us how quickly the flood waters begin to rise.
What is the falling limb?
It shows the speed with which the water level in the river declines after the peak
What is peak flow?
The maximum discharge of the river as a result of the storm
What is the time lag?
Is the time between the height of the storm and the maximum flow in the river
What is river discharge?
Refers to the movement of water in channels (m^3 per second)
What is storm flow?
Run-off resulting from storm precipitation involving both surface and throughflow
What is base flow?
Represents the normal day-to-day discharge of the river and is the consequence of groundwater seeping into the river channel
What is a storm event?
(Increase in the levels of precipitation)
What is a river regime graph?
A graph showing the annual variation in the discharge of a river.
What are the two types of hydrograph?
Flashy and delayed
Which human factors determine whether the hydrograph will be flashy or delayed? (2)
Urbanisation, deforestation
Which physical factors determine whether the hydrograph will be flashy or delayed? (9)
Relief, permeability, antecedent rainfall, previous temperature, extent of precipitation, thickness of soil, snowmelt, size and shape of drainage basin, drainage density
What is drainage density?
The total length of all the streams and rivers in the drainage basin divided by the total area
