Stream Systems

Question 1

Hydrologic cycle

Answer 1

Storage and movement of water through/over earths surface

Question 2

How water is distributed

Answer 2

Oceans
Glaciers
Groundwater
Lakes
Soil moisture 
Streams 
Atmosphere

Question 3

Precipitation distribution

Answer 3

Straight into stream

Question 4

Groundwater

Answer 4

Primarily infiltration of precipitation that soaks into the ground

Question 5

Run off

Answer 5

Rainfall snow melt and springs travels across surface until it soaks into ground or reaches a stream

Question 6

Parts of a river

Answer 6

Headwater-close to water source
Mouth- where river meets an ocean lake or sea
Tributaries- stream of river that flows into a larger stream
Trunk stream- larger stream that other streams flow into
Base level-lowest point which river flows

Question 7

Type of flows

Answer 7

Perennial-flows all year round

Ephemeral- only flows part of the year

Question 8

Drainage basin

Answer 8

Area where all surface water converges to a single point at a lower elevation (usual exit of basin)
-everything flows toward trunk
Continental divide

Question 9

Stream order

Answer 9

Describes size of stream channel and amount of water the stream is carrying

Question 10

Dendritic stream

Answer 10

Tributaries that connect to form orders

To make a second stream: two first streams must come together
Most water is in 4th order

Question 11

Stream gradient

Answer 11

How steep slope is
=vertical change/horizontaldistance

Headwaters is steepest

Question 12

Discharge

M/s3

Answer 12

Amount of water in streams
Total # volume water flow per unit time
= velocity x cross section area
Q=VxA
A= wide/depth

Question 13

Three zones of stream system

Answer 13

1) zone of erosion-sediment is eroded -gradient is steep and water velocity is high
2) zone of transportation- sediment is transported -gradient is shallow and velocity is moderate
3) zone of deposition- sediment is deposited-gradient is shallow and velocity is low