What is stream flow in the water cycle?
Streamflow is the water flowing in the creeks, streams, and rivers that you see in the low-lying parts of the landscape. After the rain falls, most of it runs off the land downhill, towards rivers and the oceans. One word can explain why any river exists on Earth—gravity.
Why is stream flow important?
Streamflow information is required to determine how much water is available in different locations so the citizens can make informed decisions about growth and to help assure there is an adequate water supply even during periods of drought.
What role do rivers play in the water cycle?
Rivers are important players in the water cycle. They collect run-off from precipitation and move it back toward the oceans. Rivers are also extremely important to our society, providing us with drinking water and irrigation water, helping produce electricity, and allowing us to transport material and food by water.
Why is river flow important?
Flow is a function of water volume and velocity. It is important because of its impact on water quality and on the living organisms and habitats in the stream. Large, swiftly flowing rivers can receive pollution discharges and be little affected, whereas small streams have less capacity to dilute and degrade wastes.
What is flowing water called?
Streamflow, or channel runoff, is the flow of water in streams, rivers, and other channels, and is a major element of the water cycle. The record of flow over time is called a hydrograph.
How do you calculate stream flow?
Multiply the average depth of the stream by the width of the stream to find the area in ft2. Divide the distance traveled by the average travel time to find the velocity of the stream in ft/sec. Multiply the velocity of the stream by a correction factor. This is the corrected velocity of the stream.
What keeps a river flowing?
A river forms from water moving from a higher elevation to a lower elevation, all due to gravity. When rain falls on the land, it either seeps into the ground or becomes runoff, which flows downhill into rivers and lakes, on its journey towards the seas. Rivers eventually end up flowing into the oceans.
Which factor does not affect stream flow?
The factor that does not influence stream velocity is DISCHARGE. Stream velocity refers to the speed with which the water in a stream is flowing. The factors which affect stream velocity include channel size, channel shape, turbulent flow and gradient.
What are the 2 types of water flow?
Within a stream channel, three types flow can be observed:
- Laminar flow – water flow in the stream is not altered in its direction. Water flows as parallel molecular streams.
- Turbulent flow – water flows as discrete eddies and vortices. Caused by channel topography and friction.
- Helical flow – spiral flow in a stream.
What does streamflow mean in the water cycle?
Unless the river flows into a closed lake, a rare occurrence, or is diverted for humans’ uses, a common occurrence, they empty into the oceans, thus fulfilling their water-cycle duties. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) uses the term “streamflow” to refer to the amount of water flowing in a river.
How does groundwater contribute to the water cycle?
As part of the water cycle, groundwater is a major contributor to flow in many streams and rivers and has a strong influence on river and wetland habitats for plants and animals. People have been using groundwater for thousands of years and continue to use it today, largely for drinking water and irrigation.
Why are rivers important in the water cycle?
A river is therefore a very important part of the water cycle, carrying rain water back to the sea. It can be a long journey for a raindrop. Rivers can run for many hundreds of miles.
Where does water go in the hydrologic cycle?
To start the cycle, water evaporates from the oceans and condenses as clouds that eventually float across the landscape and deliver their moisture in liquid (rain) or solid (snow, ice pellets) form. Some of this water runs off the landscape back to rivers that eventually flow back to the oceans, completing that part of the cycle.