Hydrology: Components of Stream Flow
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Questions and Answers

What is a drainage basin?

  • The location where all water in a catchment area evaporates
  • The total length of all streams in a given area
  • An area where surface runoff drains into a river (correct)
  • The area separated by topographic ridges that collects rainfall
  • What does the term 'drainage divide' refer to?

  • The point where water exits a river basin
  • The area where water from rainfall collects
  • The line along a topographic ridge separating two drainage basins (correct)
  • The average slope of a drainage basin
  • What does stream density indicate in a drainage basin?

  • The rate at which rainwater evaporates
  • The total volume of water in streams per area
  • The number of streams per square kilometer (correct)
  • The average depth of the streams
  • How is drainage density defined?

    <p>As the total length of all stream channels per unit area (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a high value of drainage density suggest about a basin?

    <p>Well-developed network with torrential runoff (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is concentration time in the context of a drainage area?

    <p>The duration for rainfall to flow from the furthest point to the outlet (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a low value of drainage density?

    <p>High permeability of the terrain and moderate runoff (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Horton’s method of determining slope involve?

    <p>Dividing the area into square grids and counting contours crossed (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the calculated value of the form factor, $F_f$?

    <p>0.502 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the compactness coefficient, $C_c$, represent in terms of stream characteristics?

    <p>The ratio of perimeter to the product of radius and pi (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of streams are predominantly nourished by groundwater?

    <p>Effluent streams (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the intensity of storms affect runoff according to the content?

    <p>Low intensity storms decrease runoff by increasing groundwater storage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the calculated value of the circularity ratio, $C_r$?

    <p>0.358 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor is NOT mentioned as influencing the runoff from a drainage basin?

    <p>Soil moisture content (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, what occurs when a succession of storms happens?

    <p>Runoff increases due to initial soil wetness (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the elongation ratio, $E_r$, calculated from the given data?

    <p>0.8 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between drainage basin shape and flood intensity?

    <p>Fan-shaped catchments produce greater flood intensity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which coefficient is dependent solely on the slope of the catchment?

    <p>Compactness coefficient (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the elongation ratio (Er) represent?

    <p>The diameter of a circle with the same area as the basin to its maximum length (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the range of values for the circularity ratio (Cr)?

    <p>0.2 to 0.8 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which equation represents the slope in the vertical direction (Sv)?

    <p>S = (Nc - C.I.) / ΣY (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    For the example given, the mean slope of the basin was calculated to be approximately what value?

    <p>0.0461 m/m (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the mean slope (S) calculated from vertical and horizontal slopes?

    <p>S = (Sv + Sx) / 2 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which can be determined using the basin's area, perimeter, and length?

    <p>Form factor, compactness coefficient, elongation ratio, and circularity ratio (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor influences greater runoff in steep rocky catchments?

    <p>Less vegetation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does thick vegetation have on water runoff?

    <p>Reduces runoff (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the windward side of mountains in relation to runoff?

    <p>Produces more runoff (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does valley storage affect flood magnitude?

    <p>Reduces flood magnitude (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method is NOT a valid runoff estimation technique?

    <p>Vegetation density analysis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines maximum flood discharge?

    <p>Humidity conditions and rainfall intensity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'yield of a catchment' refer to?

    <p>The net quantity of water available for storage (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which empirical equation form produces an exponential curve?

    <p>R = aP^n (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the assumptions of the unit hydrograph method?

    <p>The unit hydrograph reflects all the physical characteristics of the basin. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the variable 'C' represent in Chezy's equation?

    <p>Chezy's constant (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the hydraulic mean radius 'R' calculated?

    <p>R = A / P (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is time of concentration calculated using Kirpich's formula?

    <p>$t_c = 0.02L^{0.8}S^{-0.4}$ (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of stream gauging?

    <p>To determine the runoff from a catchment. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using the slope-area method?

    <p>To estimate peak floods where no gauging station exists (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the equation $Q = CLH^{3/2}$ represent?

    <p>Stream discharge calculation through a flume. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following variables represents the difference in water levels in the slope-area method?

    <p>Δh (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the contracted area method, what does the term 'A1' signify?

    <p>Area of the most contracted section (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What unit is used to express the intensity of rainfall in the example given?

    <p>Centimeters per hour (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the coefficient of a weir depend on?

    <p>The design and shape of the weir. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the variable 'S' represent in the slope-area method?

    <p>Water surface slope (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method involves introducing a chemical to determine discharge?

    <p>Salt-concentration method (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which land cover type has the highest coefficient in the example provided?

    <p>Forest (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does 'n' play in the Manning's equation for calculating flow?

    <p>It is the coefficient of roughness (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of using a uniform intensity of net rainfall in unit hydrograph theory?

    <p>It allows for a consistent base period across different hydrologic conditions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Drainage Basin

    The entire area of a river basin whose surface runoff drains into a river.

    Drainage Divide

    The boundary line separating two adjacent drainage basins, usually along a ridge.

    Concentration Point

    The single point where all surface drainage from a basin flows into a stream.

    Concentration Time

    The time it takes for rain at the furthest point of a drainage basin to reach the concentration point.

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    Stream Density

    The number of streams per square kilometer in a drainage basin.

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    Drainage Density

    The total length of all stream channels (perennial and intermittent) per unit area of the basin.

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    Drainage Efficiency

    How well a basin drains water, indicated by drainage density. Higher = better drainage.

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    Horton's Method

    A method for determining the slope of large drainage areas by dividing them into grids and counting contours.

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    Form Factor ([F_f])

    Ratio of width to length in a given area.

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    Compactness Coefficient ([C_c])

    Ratio of the perimeter of a region to its circumference; quantifies compactness.

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    Elongation Ratio ([E_r])

    Ratio of twice the radius to the length; measures how elongated or round the shape is.

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    Circularity Ratio ([C_r])

    Ratio of area to the area of an equivalent circle; quantifies shape similarity with a circle.

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    Influent Stream

    A stream that receives groundwater but does not release it.

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    Effluent Stream

    A stream that releases groundwater.

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    Perennial Stream

    A stream that flows continuously.

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    Intermittent Stream

    A stream that flows only at certain times of the year.

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    Runoff

    The portion of rainfall that flows over the land surface after losses from evaporation, interception, and infiltration.

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    Factors affecting Runoff

    Steep terrain, vegetation, storm direction, altitude, and land use affect how much water runs off.

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    Catchment Yield

    The usable water after rain losses, for uses like irrigation or water supply.

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    Maximum Flood Discharge

    The highest flow rate during a flood, happening when rainfall is intense and conditions favor runoff.

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    Runoff Estimation Methods

    Different ways to predict how much water will run off, including empirical formulas, infiltration, rational method, and hydrographs.

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    Empirical Formulas

    Mathematical equations used to estimate runoff, often based on rainfall.

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    Infiltration Method

    Estimating runoff by subtracting the amount of water that soaks into the ground from the total rainfall.

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    Valley Storage

    Water held in streams, channels, and low-lying areas, reducing the flood peak.

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    Drainage Basin Shape

    The shape of a drainage basin affects flood intensity and time of concentration. Fan-shaped basins have shorter concentration times and higher intensity, while fern-shaped basins have longer concentration times and more distributed discharge.

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    Compactness Coefficient

    A dimensionless measure of a drainage basin's shape, independent of size, reflecting its form. It only depends on the basin's slope.

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    Mean Basin Slope

    The average slope of a basin calculated using the number of contour intersections by vertical and horizontal lines, combined with the contour interval and total length of grid segments.

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    Basin Form Factor

    A dimensionless factor that specifies the shape of a basin, calculated by dividing the basin area by the square of its basin length or perimeter.

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    Basin characteristics

    Drainage basin characteristics (like shape, size, and slope) influence the time lag of unit hydrographs and peak flow.

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    Unit Hydrograph

    A hydrograph showing the direct runoff resulting from one unit (typically 1 cm) of excess rainfall over a specific duration, spread uniformly across a drainage basin.

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    Unit Hydrograph Assumptions

    The unit hydrograph method relies on several key assumptions about the basin and rainfall: uniform rainfall intensity, uniform distribution across the basin, constant base period for varying intensities, proportionality of runoff ordinates, and representation of basin characteristics.

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    Excess Rainfall

    The portion of rainfall that is not absorbed by the soil and contributes to surface runoff.

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    Time of Concentration

    The time it takes for water from the furthest point in a drainage basin to reach the outlet point (usually the stream gauge).

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    Kirpich's Formula

    An empirical formula used to estimate the time of concentration for a watershed, considering its length and slope.

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    Peak Rate of Runoff

    The maximum rate of water flow in a stream during a specific event, typically measured in cubic meters per second or cubic feet per second.

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    Venturi Flume

    A narrow section in a channel that accelerates the flow of water, allowing for precise measurement of low stream flows.

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    Weir

    A structure built across a stream to create a controlled flow over a specific height, allowing for accurate measurement of stream flow.

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    Slope-Area Method

    A method for estimating flood discharge by analyzing the cross-sectional area of the river channel and the slope of the water surface.

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    Chezy's Equation

    An equation used in the slope-area method to calculate flow velocity. It relates Chezy's constant, hydraulic mean radius, and water surface slope.

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    Manning's Equation

    An alternative equation to Chezy's equation used in the slope-area method to calculate flow velocity. It uses Manning's roughness coefficient, hydraulic mean radius, and slope.

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    Contracted Area Methods

    Methods for estimating discharge through constricted sections like bridge openings or canal falls by measuring the water surface drop.

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    Coefficient of Discharge

    A factor that accounts for energy losses as water flows through constrictions.

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    Head Due to Velocity of Approach

    The additional head (height) generated by the velocity of water as it approaches a constriction.

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    Salt-Concentration Method

    A technique for determining discharge by adding a chemical, like salt, to a stream and measuring its concentration downstream.

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    Thorough Mixing

    The process of ensuring the added chemical is evenly distributed throughout the water before measuring its concentration.

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    Study Notes

    Components of Stream Flow

    • Runoff occurs when a portion of rainfall infiltrates into the ground, evaporates, or flows over the land surface as overland flow.
    • Infiltration can cause water to move laterally (interflow) or to seep deeper into the ground (groundwater flow).
    • Overland flow and interflow combine to create direct runoff, while groundwater flow is called base flow.
    • Depression storage refers to water held in puddles, pits, and small ponds during overland flow.
    • Surface detention is the volume of water in overland flow that hasn't reached the stream yet.
    • Bank storage is runoff absorbed by permeable stream banks.
    • Direct surface flow can be calculated for large areas using unit hydrographs, and for small areas using overland flow analysis.

    Catchment Characteristics

    • A drainage basin is an area where runoff flows into a river.
    • Drainage divides are boundaries separating adjacent basins.
    • The point where water flows out of a basin is the concentration point.
    • Concentration time is the time it takes for water from the most distant part of a basin to reach the concentration point.
    • Stream density is the number of streams per square kilometer.
    • Drainage density is the total length of stream channels per unit area, indicating drainage efficiency.
    • Higher drainage density indicates more torrential runoff, while lower density suggests less.
    • Form factor (A/L) and compactness coefficient (P/√A) describe basin shape.
    • Basin shape categories are "fan-shaped" and "fern-shaped".

    Classification of Streams

    • Influent streams are those where groundwater feeds the stream, often found in arid regions (groundwater is higher than the stream).
    • Effluent streams are those where the stream feeds groundwater (groundwater is lower than the stream).
    • Intermittent streams flow only during periods of rainfall (or snowmelt).
    • Perennial streams constantly flow year-round since they're fed by groundwater.

    Factors Affecting Runoff

    • Storm characteristics (intensity, duration, area), meteorological characteristics (temperature, humidity, precipitation), and basin characteristics (size, shape, slope, geology) are key factors.
    • Large storms and areas generate greater runoff, while less intense storms and smaller areas produce less.
    • High humidity reduces evaporation, while snowpack and frozen ground increase runoff.
    • Steep, rocky regions with less vegetation lead to more runoff than flatter, vegetated areas.
    • Upstream reservoirs, lakes, and tanks can moderate peak flows.

    Estimation of Runoff

    • Runoff is the portion of precipitation that flows over the land surface.
    • Empirical formulas, infiltration methods, rational methods, overland flow hydrographs, and unit hydrographs estimate runoff.
    • The empirical formulas use plots of precipitation (P) vs. runoff (R) data.
    • The rational method uses a runoff coefficient (C) to estimate peak runoff (Q) by Q = CIA, where C is the runoff coefficient (determined from type of catchment), I the rainfall intensity, and A the drainage area.
    • The unit hydrograph method uses a graph showing the relationship between rainfall intensity and runoff over time.

    Stream Gauging

    • Stream gauging measures stream discharge at a gauging station.
    • Methods include using weirs or flumes, slope-area method, contracted area methods, and salt-concentration method.
    • Area-velocity methods measure cross-sectional area and velocity of flow to determine discharge.

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    Description

    Explore the key concepts of stream flow and runoff in hydrology. This quiz covers infiltration, overland flow, bank storage, and the characteristics of drainage basins. Test your understanding of how water moves through different components of a watershed.

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