Classwork – October 1st, 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9muOj3zlLM

Watershed

Is an area of land from which all of the water drains or seeps to a common point, it
can also be thought of as the total upstream area drained by a stream or river. A watershed
also represents a connection between all of the people and activities found within its
boundaries.

An area of land that drains all the streams and rainfall to a common outlet, such as the outflow
of a reservoir, mouth of a bay, or any point along a stream channel.

Flood Plain

Low-lying areas prone to flooding usually adjoining rivers and lakes. Floods are a
natural part of the ecosystem process a relatively undisturbed floodplain can buffer effects of
flooding by slowing down and storing flood waters and also helping reduce the negative
effects to water quality such as increased sedimentation (riparian area provides these services
as well)

Flood plains also play an important role in recharging aquifers and they also provide habitat
to support diverse populations of plants and animals

Wetlands

Areas of land that are saturated by water for part or all of the year and have unique
soil characteristics and plants, m any animals depend on wetlands for homes and resting spots
fish, amphibians, aquatic insects and certain mammals need wetlands as a place for their
young to be born and grow.

Riparian Area

Is the boundary between a river and a floodplain, in fact any body of water has a
riparian area whether it is a river, a wetland or a lake, the riparian area encompasses the body
of water as well as adjacent land such as the river bank that is directly influenced and also
influences that body of water. The width of the riparian area varies for each water body and
is dependent upon the local hydrology, soil and geology, vegetation, human activities and
upstream conditions

Drainage area

Area of land where precipitation collects and drains off into a common outlet, such
as into a river, bay, or other body of water.

Tributary

Each drop of precipitation that falls into tributary area eventually ends up in the same
river going to the sea if it doesn’t evaporate. However, it can take a very long time. Tributary
areas are separated from each other by watersheds. Tributary are divided into sub catchments,
also along the lines of elevation.

River basins

Rivers and streams transport water and sediment out of the water shed, they provide
important sources of water for the community in wildlife

Ground water

Water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock. It is stored
in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers.

Uplands

Higher ground above rivers and streams, at higher elevations, smaller streams and
tributaries originate from snowmelt and springs; uplands are also where many human
activities occur.
 Time (hrs) Ordinate of DRH (m³/s)
0 0
3 35
6 240
9 675
12 1140
15 1375
18 1345
21 1145
24 890
27 645
30 445
33 290
36 190
39 110
42 70
45 33
48 10
51 0

Hydrograph
1600
Pickflow / Discharge
1400

1200
Runoff - Q (m³/s)

1000

800

600

400

200

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time (hrs)