The Drainage Basin Flashcards
drainage basin definition
is the area of land surrounding a river, from which the river receives water and subsequently drains the water
what is the watershed
invisible line between 2 drainage basins
what is a tributary
a smaller river coming off the main river
what is the floodplain
low land directly next to the river
what is the confluence
the point where tributary and river meet
inputs into the drainage basin
precipitation
flows and transfers in the drainage basin
surface runoff/ overland flow, infiltration, percolation, groundwater flow, through flow
stores in the drainage basin
groundwater and soil moisture
outputs in the drainage basin
river channel, transpiration, evaporation
what is infiltration rate and what is it controlled by
on reaching the ground, water soaks into the soil by infiltration. the rate of this is called the infiltration rate.
this movement of water into the soil is controlled by gravity, capillary action and soil porosity (most important).
where does water flow fastest
along the surface– as there are fewer obstacles slowing it down. urban surfaces= especially fast
2nd fastest way water flows
through soil– but depends on the area
2nd slowest way water flows
clay soils retain water, hindering any movement
slowest way water flows
once in the rocks below the soil the rate of transfer considerably slows
