Rivers and Streams Court Monroe October 3, 2007

Water Cycle ~ the movement of H 2 O through the hydrosphere

Runoff ~ water flowing down slope along the Earth’s surface.

Factors that determine rates of water runoff Amount of vegetation Rate of Precipitation Soil Composition Slope

Factors that determine rates of water runoff Amount of vegetation

Factors that determine rates of water runoff Rate of precipitation Started to rain

Factors that determine rates of water runoff Soil composition. Loose soil with heavy rains, with little soil to hold it in place will often cause mud slides.

Mud slide

Factors that determine rates of water runoff Slope

Stream Systems Brooks and Creeks -> Streams Streams --> Rivers Rivers --> Watershed areas

Continental Divide

Stream Load ~ All the materials that the water in a stream carries. Solution ~ Dissolved minerals. Suspension ~ Particles held up by the moving water. Bed load ~ Particles bounced along the bottom of the stream.

Stream Load ~ All the materials that the water in a stream carries. Solution ~ Dissolved minerals. a.Usually salts, or salt forming ions. b.Counted in parts per million (ppm).

Stream Load ~ All the materials that the water in a stream carries. Solution ~ Dissolved minerals. See page 216 in book.

Stream Load ~ All the materials that the water in a stream carries. Suspension ~ Particles held up by the moving water.

Stream Load ~ All the materials that the water in a stream carries. Bed load ~ Particles bounced along the bottom of the stream.

Stream Velocity and Carrying Capacity Stream Velocity based on how fast water flows. Carrying capacity is how much of a stream load a stream can….carry. Based largely on discharge. m 3 / s = meters x meters x meters ÷ seconds

Floodplains Flood ~ too much water in one place at one time. Floodplain ~ where all that water goes a.Nice an flat b.Firtile soils c.Sometimes covered with water i 10 year flood ii 50 year flood iii 100 year flood iv 500 year flood