Streams and Rivers Streams and Rivers Definitions Tributary
Streams and Rivers
Streams and Rivers Definitions Tributary: A stream that runs into another stream or river River System: A river and all of its tributaries Watershed: includes all of the land that drains into the river
Floodplain: a nearly flat area along a stream or river that is naturally subject to flooding.
Streams and Rivers Continued Oxbow Lake: a C-shaped lake formed when a meander is cut off from the main channel due to a lack of energy and sedimentation
Rivers with Many Meanders
Formation of a Cutoff and Oxbow Lake
DELTAS Delta: a nearly flat plain of alluvial deposit between diverging branches of the mouth of a river, often triangular Alluvial Deposit: clay, silt or gravel deposited where the stream slows down
Characteristics of Streams and Rivers Meander: to take a winding or indirect course-> the bends in a river Velocity: The distance that water travels in a given amount of time. Gradient: The slope of a stream (vertical distance/horizontal distance)
Characteristics Continued Discharge: the volume of water that passes a certain point in a given amount of time Channel: The path through which the water flows. The size and shape effects the velocity
Diagram- will complete in class
WATER VELOCITY Streams flow fastest in the middle, just below the surface The surface is slower because air provides a little friction The bottom is slower because the ground provides friction The sides are slower because the edge/shore provides friction
From Above From Within X marks the area of highest velocity
ESRT (PG 6)
V-SHAPED VALLEYS Most youthful river valleys are Vshaped V-shaped valleys are found in regions where there is enough rain to erode the sides of the valley
The Yellowstone River Is an Example of a V-Shaped Valley
Visualizations How Sediment is Transported Meanderings
Erosion occurs on the outside of the bends where the water is moving the fastest Deposition occurs on the inside of the bends where the water is moving the slowest
Video Watch Ms. Whittaker embarrass herself: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ewsx. Xs 8 vfh. A&inde x=93&list=UUWC 9 p. BDUrv 8 isgr. Wj. CRs 5 Gg
Erosion by Wind When small, loose sediments like sand are available, erosion by wind is possible Arid regions are the most common places for wind erosion to take place
Ventifacts: wedge-shaped rocks formed by wind erosion, often pitted. The weaker, less resistant materials are worn away the fastest
Sand dunes are hills of sand deposited by wind a. Found wherever there are strong winds and loose sand b. Have long, gentle slope on windward side c. Have shorter, steep slope on leeward side
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