River regimes

What is discharge?

The amount of water flowing past a certain point expressed mas m³s^-1.

How is discharge calculated?

By multiplying the cross-sectional area with the velocity at the measuring point.

What is the unit of discharge?

Cumecs.

How many gauging stations for rivers are there in the UK?

Around 1500.

Why does the UK need so many river gauging stations?

Due to our complex drainage system and geology.

Define river regime.

The variability in a river’s discharge throughout the course of a year in response to precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration and drainage basin characteristics.

Describe the river Meese catchment.

Agricultural

Very low relief

High baseflow component

Rock: boulder clay, glacial sand, gravel

How did the relief of the area affect the river Meese 2007 floods?

Low relief area

Height never exceeds 40m above sea level

Flood risk is reduced

How did the rock type affect the river Meese 2007 floods?

76% high permeability bedrock in the area

This means fast infiltration and percolation

Flood risk is reduced

How did the rainfall affect the river Meese 2007 floods?

Usually, the annual rainfall is 700mm in this area, which is lower than most of the UK

However, rainfall peaked in 2007 at 6.9mm in one day in June

This means that antecedent rainfall is the only relevant factor to the 2007 Tibberton floods

How did the land use in the area affect the river Meese 2007 floods?

Agricultural

Mostly pasture or grassland

Increases infiltration

Decreases flood risk

When did the flooding of the river Meese occur?

June 2007