The Hydrological Cycle

Question 1

Brief summary of drainage basin hydrological cycles.

Answer 1

Water comes into the system as precipitation and leaves via evaporation, transpiration and river discharge.

Question 2

Name the input of a drainage basin hydrological cycle.

Answer 2

Precipitation

Snow, rain, hail, sleet, dew, frost

Question 3

Name 5 ways in which water is stored in the drainage basin hydrological cycle.

Answer 3

Interception 
Vegetation storage
Surface storage 
Groundwater storage 
Channel storage

Question 4

Name some of the flows and processes

Answer 4

Surface runoff
Through fall
Stem flow
Through flow 
Infiltration 
Percolation 
Groundwater flow 
Base flow 
Inter flow
Channel flow

Question 5

Name the 4 outputs of a drainage basin hydrological cycle.

Answer 5

Evaporation
Transpiration
Evapotranspiration
River discharge/flow

Question 6

What does the water balance show

Answer 6

The balance between inputs and outputs.

Question 7

What happens to the water balance in wetter seasons?

Answer 7

Precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration 
This creates water surplus
Grounds stores fill with water
-more surface runoff
-higher discharge
-river levels rise

Question 8

What happens to the water balance during drier seasons?

Answer 8

Precipitation is lower than evapotranspiration
Ground stores are depleted as water is used
-some flows to the river channel but isn’t replaced

Question 9

What happens at the end of a dry season?

Answer 9

There is a deficit of water in the ground

Ground stores are recharged in the next wet season

Question 10

What does a typical drainage basin have?

Answer 10

Inputs
Storage
Flows and processes
Outputs