What is the correct definition of stream gradient?
the drop of elevation of a stream divided by the distance the water travels which of the following is the correct definition of stream gradient? distributaries at the head of a delta, the major channel splits into smaller channels that follow different paths to the sea. what is the name applies to these smaller channels? hydrologic cycle
How does the gradient if a river affect its flow?
The gradient of a river affects the speed of the water’s flow. If the gradient is higher or steeper, the water would flow at a faster rate. On the other hand, a river with a low gradient contains water that flows at a slower rate.
What does stream gradient mean?
Stream gradient is the grade measured by the ratio of drop in elevation of a stream per unit horizontal distance, usually expressed as meters per kilometer or feet per mile .
How do streams gradient affect it's velocity?
Gradient is the slope or steepness of a stream channel. It affects the stream's velocity because the steeper the gradient is, the greater the velocity, due to gravity. Discharge is the volume of water flowing past a certain point in a given unit of time.
How do you find the gradient of a stream?
Gradient = vertical difference in elevation / horizontal distance. So, to calculate the average gradient along the stream from the red dot at B to the red dot at A (or vice versa) two facts need to be known: The difference in elevation between B and A. The distance along the stream from B to A.
What is the gradient of a stream channel?
The gradient of a stream is a measure of the vertical distance that a stream channel falls between two points along its course. gradient = vertical (altitude) change in channel (m) / distance between two points (km).
What is the gradient of water?
The hydraulic gradient (1) is the slope of the water table or potentiometric surface, that is, the change in water level per unit of distance along the direction of maximum head decrease. It is determined by measuring the water level in several wells.
What is a stream gradient quizlet?
gradient is the steepness of the stream's slope. near the the head waters, or the beginning of a stream , the gradient gennerally is steep. this area of the stream has a high rate of flow, causes rapid channel erosion.
What is stream gradient and why is it important?
Why is stream gradient important? The gradient, or steepness, of a streambed drives many important processes, such as erosion, sediment movement, and the speed of water flow.
How do we calculate gradient?
The gradient of a line is calculated by dividing the difference in the -coordinates by the difference in the -coordinates. This may be referred to as the change in divided by the change in , or the vertical divided by the horizontal.
What is a high stream gradient?
A high gradient indicates a steep slope and rapid flow of water (i.e. more ability to erode); where as a low gradient indicates a more nearly level stream bed and sluggishly moving water, that may be able to carry only small amounts of very fine sediment.
What is the gradient in simple terms?
Definition of gradient 1a : the rate of regular or graded (see grade entry 2 sense transitive 2) ascent or descent : inclination. b : a part sloping upward or downward.
What is river slope?
A river's slope is usually expressed in feet of vertical drop per mile of longitudinal reach. The changing gradient plotted over the river's length is the stream's longitudinal profile. The profile of most streams begins steep and gradually levels out.
What defines a stream quizlet?
Definition of stream. Body of water, large or small that flows over the land surface.
How does a streams gradient affect is velocity?
The higher the gradient, the faster the stream flows. Channel shape and texture. The shape and roughness of the channel also affect the velocity of the flowing water.
How does the gradient of a stream affect how much erosion it causes?
The points that will be made are these: 1) Water moves faster when the gradient (slope) is greater, and when water moves faster it is capable of moving more sand more quickly; therefore it is more erosive. 2) Greater quantities of water are capable of moving more sand and are therefore more erosive.
What is a high stream gradient?
A high gradient indicates a steep slope and rapid flow of water (i.e. more ability to erode); where as a low gradient indicates a more nearly level stream bed and sluggishly moving water, that may be able to carry only small amounts of very fine sediment.
What is considered a steep stream gradient?
2:459:23Characteristics of High Gradient Streams (1/3) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay what's a headwater this is the area furthest away from the mouth of the river. So this is whereMoreOkay what's a headwater this is the area furthest away from the mouth of the river. So this is where the river starts. The headwaters is the area where rivers.
Where is the gradient of a stream the greatest?
Gradients are typically the lowest at a river's mouth, and highest at its headwaters. The higher the gradient, the faster the stream flows. Channel shape and texture. The shape and roughness of the channel also affect the velocity of the flowing water.
What is the gradient in simple terms?
Definition of gradient 1a : the rate of regular or graded (see grade entry 2 sense transitive 2) ascent or descent : inclination. b : a part sloping upward or downward.
What is the gradient of a river?
If you’re trying to calculate the gradient of a river, it’s important for you to know what it is. According to geography, a gradient of a river refers to the slope of its channel.
How to determine the gradient of a river
The flow of the river is measured by its discharge at any given location and time. The volume of the water that passes through a particular point is also measured.
What factors should you consider when calculating the gradient of a river?
Every river carries an amount of sediment as it flows. This load will depend on the size of the river. Moreover, it will change from the origin of the river all the way to its mouth.
Characteristics of a river that affect the gradient calculation
Did you know that rivers aren’t considered living? Even though this is the case, they will still go through various characteristic changes as time goes by.
What is stream gradient?from en.wikipedia.org
Stream gradient is the grade measured by the ratio of drop in elevation of a stream per unit horizontal distance, usually expressed as meters per kilometer or feet per mile .
How to measure stream gradient?from en.wikipedia.org
Because stream gradient is customarily given in feet per 1000 feet, one should then measure the amount a stream segment rises and the length of the stream segment in feet, then multiply feet per foot gradient by 1000. For example, if one measures a scale mile along the stream length, and counts three contour lines crossed on a map with ten-foot contours, the gradient is approximately 5.7 feet per 1000 feet, a fairly steep gradient.
How is gradient calculated?from enotes.com
Water allows seeks its lowest point and flows downhill. The gradient is actually the slope, and is calculated as the drop of the stream, per unit distance. It can be the change in height from one point to the next divided by distance in feet or miles. A steep gradient means that because of the force of gravity, the water will be flowing rapidly. This type of stream carves a V-shape out of the landscape below and can transport clay, sand, silt, pebbles and even gravel due to the fast velocity. A low gradient stream has water that flows slowly and sluggishly and is only capable of transporting fine sediments a short distance.
What is the difference between a high and low gradient?from en.wikipedia.org
A high gradient indicates a steep slope and rapid flow of water (i.e. more ability to erode); where as a low gradient indicates a more nearly level stream bed and sluggishly moving water, that may be able to carry only small amounts of very fine sediment. High gradient streams tend to have steep, narrow V-shaped valleys, and are referred to as young streams. Low gradient streams have wider and less rugged valleys, with a tendency for the stream to meander. Many rivers involve, to some extent, a flattening of the river gradient as approach the terminus at sea level.
Where is the mean gradient boundary?
Sometimes called the “mean” gradient boundary, it is located midway between the lower level of the flowing water that just reaches the so-called “cut bank,” and the higher level of the flowing water that just does not overtop the cut bank.
What is the gradient boundary in Texas?
Texas courts have adopted the “gradient boundary” as the usual dividing line between public ownership of a stream’s bed and lower bank area, and private ownership of the higher bank area and the uplands beyond. Thus, there is generally no question as to the public’s right to use the bank area up to the gradient boundary.
Which court endorsed the gradient boundary concept?
In a 1935 case, the Texas Supreme Court endorsed the gradient boundary concept, stating:
What court case used the term "bed and bank of stream"?
In Motl v. Boyd, 116 Tex. 82, 286 S.W. 458, 467 (1926) , the Texas Supreme Court used language much like that used by the U.S. Supreme Court to describe the bed and the bank of a stream:
What is the slope of a stream?
The slope of a stream measures the vertical distance that a stream drops over a given horizontal length. The slope is usually shown as a percentage. A stream’s slope influences a number of items such as how quickly the water is moving through the stream, how much sediment the stream will carry and how the streambed may erode.
What is the effect of erosion on a stream?
Erosion of the stream may be less of a concern in non-entrenched reaches with a moderate slope. A stream with a gentle slope will generally have lower velocities and reduced energy compared with steeper slopes.
What is a moderate slope?
Moderate slopes are common along the foothill areas where the mountainous terrain begins to flatten onto the plains. Flow velocities in reaches with a moderate slope can still cause erosion under certain conditions, especially when the stream is entrenched.
Where are steep slopes found?
Steep slopes are usually found in mountainous areas , and often result in increased velocities in the channel. Erosion from this can be a concern in areas with finer streambed materials like sand. Steep slopes are frequently associated with more entrenched streams where the flow is confined to the channel on either side.
Does the slope of a stream indicate stability?
Ultimately, the slope of a stream can provide some indication of its stability . The slope of a stream can change quickly, and your property may have multiple ranges of slopes.
What is the maximum load of solid particles a stream can transport per unit time?
Capacity is the maximum load of solid particles a stream can transport per unit time. (Large rivers with high flow velocities have large capacities)
What is discharge in water?
Discharge - measure most often used to compare the size of streams; the volume of water flowing past a certain point in a given time. Competence - is a measure of a stream's ability to transport particles based on size rather than quantity. Capacity. Explain the difference between capacity and competency.
How are natural levees formed?
Natural levees are formed where the coarsest sediments are deposited adjacent to the channel during floods. A river's drainage basin is: the total area from which its water flows and the discharge at mouth from the Mississippi River is 600,000 cubic feet. A river's flow velocity is primarily controlled by. discharge.
What are the different ways water is transferred from one reservoir to another?
Describe the different ways (e.g. infiltration, evaporation, runoff, and precipitation) by which water is transferred from one reservoir (e.g. oceans, glaciers, groundwater, etc.) to another. The hydrologic cycle is the unending circulation of water between the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.
How does the water cycle work?
The water cycle is driven by heat energy by the sun. The sun warms up the water causing it to evaporates 320000km of water in the air. When precipitation falls on land, it either soaks into the ground (infiltration), flows to the surface (runoff), or immediately evaporates.
What is a dendritic branching pattern?
Dendritic - commonly encountered with a "treelike" branching pattern that forms where the underlying material is relatively uniform. Because the surface material is essentially uniform in its resistance to erosion, it does not control the pattern of streamflow
What happens to the flow of water as floodwaters overflow the banks and natural levees?
As the floodwaters overflow the banks and natural levees, the water spreads out, the velocity drops, and the finer silt and clay settle on top of these marshy areas adjacent to the main supply source. Divide - imaginary lines used to separate drainage basins.
Overview
Stream gradient is the grade measured by the ratio of drop in elevation of a stream per unit horizontal distance, usually expressed as meters per kilometer or feet per mile.
Hydrology and geology
A high gradient indicates a steep slope and rapid flow of water (i.e. more ability to erode); where as a low gradient indicates a more nearly level stream bed and sluggishly moving water, that may be able to carry only small amounts of very fine sediment. High gradient streams tend to have steep, narrow V-shaped valleys, and are referred to as young streams. Low gradient streams have wider and less rugged valleys, with a tendency for the stream to meander. Many rivers involve, to som…
Fluvial erosion
A stream that flows upon a uniformly erodible substrate will tend to have a steep gradient near its source, and a low gradient nearing zero as it reaches its base level. Of course, a uniform substrate would be rare in nature; hard layers of rock along the way may establish a temporary base level, followed by a high gradient, or even a waterfall, as softer materials are encountered below the hard layer.
Topographic mapping
On topographic maps, stream gradient can be easily approximated if the scale of the map and the contour intervals are known. Contour lines form a V-shape on the map, pointing upstream. By counting the number of lines that cross a certain segment of a stream, multiplying this by the contour interval, and dividing that quantity by the length of the stream segment, one obtains an approximation to the stream gradient.
See also
• Channel types
• Discharge (hydrology)
• Hydraulic gradient, concept used for aquifers
• Relief ratio
• Rapids