watersheds quiz

Outlet

The final point where a stream flows out of a drainage basin into a larger body of water

Open system

Both matter and water can leave and enter the system

Watershed divide

Boundary of the watershed, typically a ridge of land that separates 2 watersheds.

Surface divide

The high ground divides two watersheds (topography)

Groundwater divide

Divide based on groundwater table

Watershed delineation

Process used to determine boundaries of watershed

Directly connected area

The area around the stream network where water can flow down hill directly into the stream

Water residence time

Average time it takes for water to move through a certain volume.

Internally drained area

Valleys in the watershed that are only connected to the stream via ground water flow paths

Imperviousness

Man made features that water can’t go into

Steps to delineating a watershed

Pick outlet, which way does stream flow, connect hydrologic features, defines watershed divides

What types of hydrologic features should be considered when watersheds are delineated

Everything- storm sewers, wetlands, lakes, ponds

Do all sources of groundwater and aquifers need to be included in a watershed when they are delineated

Yes

Should watershed delineation include anthropogenic drainage features

Yes

Can water leave a watershed from some place other than outlet

Technically no. But people can move water and also small amounts can seep through base of watershed

What hydrologic cycle flow path introduces water into a watershed

Precipitation

Why is watershed delineation important from the perspective of dealing with water pollution

It’s a closed system. Meaning that if outlet is polluted then pollution is coming from within the watershed

Why are watersheds important from the perspective of developing hydrological budgets for sustainable ground water pumping management

Allows us to identify how much recharge has taken place