Streams
Mar 27, 2015
Streams
Major US Rivers
A drainage basin a.k.a. watershed is
the area of land that drains to a particular lake, wetland or ocean.
DRAINAGE BASIN/Watershed
Where do rivers and streams get their water from? 3 sources
From its source to the SeaA stream begins at its headwaters, often in areas where there is constant runoff of rain or melting snow or an underground spring.The stream continues to flow and combines with other streams (called tributaries) until they become a river systemThe river will flow until its mouth (the end of the river) opens into the ocean, lake or seaThe mouth of a river creates a Delta (a layer of sediment)
TRIBUTARIES, DIVIDES
ALLUVIAL FAN
What is a Stream Erosion?What is a Stream Erosion?
Stream erosion is Stream erosion is the transportation the transportation of weathered of weathered material collected material collected in the stream in the stream
Parts of a River Channel
Bank (outside of a river)
Bar (inside of a river)
Bed (bottom of a river)
RIVER BED
STREAM LOAD
Suspended load
Dissolved Load
YouthfulSteep gradient
Rapids and waterfalls
Stream course is straight
No or very little drainage basin (the area of land that surrounds and include the major river and all of its tributaries.
Youthful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c3YadMA0_k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so385dCUoJM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVxVfR5Ll58
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
MatureWeathering and erosional effects have made the land wider and flatter
Speed of river is reduced
Starting to get curvy (meanders)
Drainage basin are forming and more tributaries are joining
MEANDER
Meander – a curve or bend in the river
OldExtreme meanders are present
Land around it is very flat
Speed is super slow
Large drainage basin
Oxbow lakes
Fig. 10.06
Old
MEANDERS/OXBOW LAKE
http://www.school-portal.co.uk/GroupDownloadFile.asp?file=21606
Oxbow Lakes
OXBOW LAKES
EROSION/DEPOSITION
Rejuvenated River
NAME THE STAGE
NAME THE STAGE
NAME THE STAGE
FLOOD PLAIN
http://www.school-portal.co.uk/GroupDownloadFile.asp?file=21394
WATERFALL FORMATION
http://www.school-portal.co.uk/GroupDownloadFile.asp?file=21604
Summary QuestionA Changing River
200 years ago a stream was set as a boundary on some land. Now surveys show that this river is no longer used as an accurate boundary. Why?