#1 RUNNING WATER AND GROUNDWATER, Running Water Topography and Controls

Processes involved in the cycle

Precipitation

Evaporation

Infiltration

Runoff

Transpiration

Running Water Topography and Controls

Drainage basin

• A divide separates drainage basins

A divide separates drainage basins

• Stream Channel

• Conduit  for a river system

• Fed by tributaries

• Flows from high to low elevation

• Downcuts at high elevation

• Laterally erodes at low elevation (meanders)

• High gradient ~ high stream velocity

• Low  gradient ~ low stream velocity

• High discharge ~ high stream velocity

• Low discharge ~ low stream velocity

Stream channels

High channel roughness (obstructions in the stream channel) ~ lower velocity + greater turbulence

High channel width (“U” shaped cross-section) ~ higher velocity + lesser turbulence (laminar flow)

Low channel width (“V” shaped cross-section) ~ lower velocity + greater turbulence (roughness)

Profile of stream from head (source) to mouth (discharge) shows a decreasing gradient