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Published byKathleen Benson Modified over 9 years ago
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THE HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
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The Hydrologic Cycle
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The Hydrologic Cycle - Fresh Water Storage Reservoir % of Total Fresh Water Glaciers (Frozen)76% Groundwater22% Rivers & Lakes < 2% Although it only makes up < 2% of total fresh water on earth, surface water is the most utilized and perhaps precious natural resource!
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The Hydrologic Cycle How Does Water Move Within The Cycle?
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The Hydrologic Cycle 1) RIVER SYSTEMS A)Important source of fresh water. B)Most important agent of erosion. C)Most abundant continental landform. D)Essential to agriculture & industry
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Three Main Parts To A River System Collection system; Transportation system; Dispersing system
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DIFFERENCES IN RIVER SUB-SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS
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The Collection System – A Drainage Basin
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Types of Drainage Basins – Controlled by Geology
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The Dynamics of Stream Flow 1)Velocity 2)Discharge 3)Channel Parameters 1)Roughness 2)Dimensions 4)Sediment Load 5)Gradient and Base Level The Transportation System
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1) VELOCITY – Straight Channel
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1) VELOCITY – Curving Channel
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High V: Erosion LowV: Deposition 2) GRADIENT
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MEASURING DISCHARGE (Q): Q m 3 /sec = V (AVG. ) X Width meters X Depth meters
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4) SEDIMENT LOAD AND TRANSPORTATION
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TRANSPORTING SEDIMENT
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Ideal Stream Profile Increasing discharge, velocity & sediment load Decreasing gradient, turbulence & competence Base level – level of deepest possible erosion.
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Dynamic Equilibrium – “You can never change just one thing about a stream.” The sensitive, ever-evolving balance between erosion and deposition. Graded Stream: erosion = deposition. If deposition > erosion, stream builds up its bed, thus increasing gradient and average velocity to restore balance. If erosion > deposition, stream erodes bed, decreasing gradient and velocity.
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Departures from Equilibrium Waterfalls – signs of a shifting balance: increased discharge or gradient
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Dam That Stream! A System Out of Balance Dam Effects Upstream deposition Discharge of clear, turbulent water & potential erosion. Elimination of floods (reduced competence); Choke off down- stream sediment flow. Disturbed ecosystems
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Meandering Streams
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Floodplains have a purpose!
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