Drainage Basin and Water Storage Systems

Flashcards covering key concepts of drainage basins, water storage, and transfers based on the lecture notes.

What is a drainage basin?

A drainage basin is the area of land drained by a river and its tributaries.

What does the edge of a drainage basin refer to?

The edge of a drainage basin is called the watershed, which divides one drainage basin from another.

What are the two main types of storage in a drainage basin?

Vegetation storage and surface storage.

Where is vegetation storage highest?

Vegetation storage is highest in areas like rainforests with many trees.

What is surface storage?

Surface storage is when water is stored on the surface of the ground, typically when surfaces are impermeable.

What is channel storage?

Channel storage refers to water stored in the river channel itself.

What is soil moisture storage?

Soil moisture storage is water stored in the top layer of unsaturated soil.

What is groundwater storage?

Groundwater storage is the area of saturated soil, marked by the water table, crucial for irrigation and drinking supply.

What are the inputs into a drainage basin?

Inputs include precipitation and sunlight.

How does pollution affect a drainage basin?

Pollution can enter the river system from human activities and can have significant consequences for the drainage basin.

What are the outputs of a drainage basin?

Outputs include channel outflow, evaporation, and transpiration.

What is the difference between potential evaporation and actual evaporation?

Potential evaporation is the maximum amount that could occur under ideal conditions, while actual evaporation is the amount that actually occurs.

What role does sunlight play in a drainage basin?

Sunlight influences evaporation and transpiration, affecting water availability.

What is throughflow?

Throughflow is water that has infiltrated the soil and moves toward the river through the zone of aeration.

What is infiltration?

Infiltration is the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil.

What is channel flow?

Channel flow is the water that is transported through the drainage basin in the river channel.