Unit 1 Definitions

Question 1

ThroughFlow

Answer 1

Horizontal movement of water down-slope through the soil.

Question 2

Interception

Answer 2

Water temporarily stored on the surface of vegetation.

Question 3

Percolation

Answer 3

The vertical downward movement of water through the soil to groundwater.

Question 4

Infiltration

Answer 4

Movement of water from the ground surface into the soil.

Question 5

Overland Flow

Answer 5

Water flowing into a river from the groundwater store.

Question 6

Precipitation

Answer 6

Rain, snow, sleet, hail, dew.

Question 7

Throughfall

Answer 7

Water dropping off vegetation to the ground surface.

Question 8

Baseflow

Answer 8

Flow of water over the ground surface.

Question 9

Surface Storage

Answer 9

Water held in puddles, lakes and reservoirs.

Question 10

Transpiration

Answer 10

Water lost from vegetation through stomata.

Question 11

Water Table

Answer 11

Upper level of groundwater.

Question 12

Channel Flow

Answer 12

Water flowing within a river.

Question 13

Groundwater Store

Answer 13

Water stored in permeable rock below the water table.

Question 14

Channel Store

Answer 14

Water held within a river.

Question 15

Stem Flow

Answer 15

Water flowing over leaves, stems and branches.

Question 16

Drainage Basin

Answer 16

An area where water from rain or snow melt drains downhill into a body of water such as a river, lake, wetland, or ocean.

Question 17

Watershed

Answer 17

An area of land that channels rainfall, snow melt, and runoff into a common body of water.

Question 18

Evaporation

Answer 18

The process of changing from a liquid state into vapour.

Question 19

Saturation - Excess Overland Flow

Answer 19

Surface water input on areas already saturated.

Question 20

Infiltration - Excess Overland Flow

Answer 20

The rate of water input on land surface is higher than the infiltration rate.

Question 21

Porous

Answer 21

Small holes, so liquid and air can pass through.

Question 22

Pervious

Answer 22

Allows liquid or gas to pass through.

Question 23

Permeable

Answer 23

Able to be penetrated.

Question 24

River Regime

Answer 24

The annual variation in the discharge or flow of a river at a particular point.

Question 25

Storm Hydrograph

Answer 25

A graph that shows river discharge and rainfall over time.

Question 26

Lag Time

Answer 26

The period between maximum precipitation and peak discharge.

Question 27

Rising Limb

Answer 27

The rising portion of the hydrograph showing increased discharge.

Question 28

Falling Limb

Answer 28

Discharge is decreasing, level of the river is falling.

Question 29

Bankfull Discharge

Answer 29

Level of discharge is at channel capacity, any further increase will lead to flooding.

Question 30

Baseflow

Answer 30

The portion of discharge, fed from groundwater flow.