Rivers Key terms

Question 1

Discharge

Answer 1

Amount/volume of water flowing past a particular point over a particular time (measured in cumecs)

Question 2

Interlocking spurs
What are they?
How are they formed?

Answer 2

Overlapping hills

Land made of different resistances of rock, river winds round high resistances of rock and cuts through low resistances

Question 3

Soft engineering
Definition
Examples

Answer 3

Working with natural river processes to manage flood risk

E.g. Flood warnings & preparation, flood plain zoning

Question 4

Hard engineering
Definition
Examples

Answer 4

Using man-made structures to prevent/control natural processes
E.g. Dams and reservoirs, straightening meanders, embankments, flood relief channel

Question 5

Stem flow

Answer 5

When water runs off branches/stems to the ground

Question 6

Through flow

Answer 6

Water flows through soil to river

Question 7

Groundwater flow

Answer 7

Water flows through rock to river (slow)

Question 8

Interception

Answer 8

Rainfall is caught by vegetation

Question 9

Infiltration

Answer 9

Water flows vertically into soil

Question 10

Percolation

Answer 10

Water flows vertically into bed rock

Question 11

Through fall

Answer 11

Water drips from leaf to leaf

Question 12

Overland flow

Answer 12

Water travels over the ground (fast)

Question 13

Channel flow

Answer 13

Water that is flowing in river

Question 14

Precipitation

Answer 14

Any form of moisture from the atmosphere

Question 15

Estuary

Answer 15

Mouth of river -> where it meets the sea/lake

Question 16

What is a flood hydrograph

Answer 16

A graph used by hydrologists to work out how a particular river responds to a particular size of rain event. Used to determine wether a river is likely to flood