Run Off Variation

Question 1

How is river flow studied?

Answer 1

Measuring discharge of a river.

Question 2

Define discharge

Answer 2

Volume of water passing a measuring point in a given time.

Multiply cross sectional area of river by velocity.

M3/sec or cumecs

Question 3

Why is the knowledge of Discharge important ?

Answer 3

It’s allows us to effectively manage water resources (irrigation)
Design water related structures like reservoirs.
Flood warnings

Also helps develop HEP

Question 4

What factor is going to massively impact discharge ?

Answer 4

Climate change.
More rain and more water vapour held in atmosphere.

So it’s important to keep record of discharge

Question 5

Uk example

Answer 5

Dense gauging station network of around 1,500 measuring systems.

A large number is needed because uk contains a large number of small river basins and is diverse in climate / topography and land use

Question 6

Name a way to measure discharge ?

Answer 6

Weir