Surface Water

Surface Water By: Gino Simplicio

River Systems 

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Rain that runs down a slope eventually reaches a stream, which runs into another stream down a slope. A stream that goes to another stream is called a tributary. Over time, the tributaries carry a bunch of sediments and continue to carry it till it reaches a main river. The main river carries the sediment to a lake or an ocean and deposits it there. This is called the river system

Characteristics of Streams & Rivers  The

ability of a river system can be affected by many factors. These factors are the velocity, the gradient, the discharge, and the channel.

Velocity 

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The velocity of water in a stream or river is pretty much the distance that the water travels in a given amount of time. A fast moving river can erode sediments more quickly and can carry larger particles than a slow-moving river. The steepness of a slope, the amount of water that is traveling, and the shape of the path that the water travels can determine the water’s velocity.

Gradient  The

steepness of the slope of a stream or river is called a gradient.  A gradient of a river varies along the course it is going on. If the river goes down a steep mountain or hill, the gradient will be large. Where as a not very steep mountain or hill a water passes by

Discharge  The

Discharge of a stream or river is the amount of water that passes a certain point in a certain amount of time.  A discharge increases downstream because the tributary continually adds more water.