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Splash Erosion : Dispersal of fine particles due to impact of rain drops Unconcentrated (Sheet) Wash : Thin layer of water moving over slopes during rainfall. Concentrated Wash : Flow of water on slope during rainfall in small & narrow channels (Rills) or broad & deep channels (Gullys). Overland flow can detach & transport fine grained sediments (silt & clay sizes) on slopes. Most overland flow reaches the foots of slopes in valleys where streams are found.
LONGITUDINAL PROFILE
STREAM CHANNEL
STREAM CHANNEL
CHANNEL GRADIENT () : Angle between the hoizontal and the water surface. Different parameters are dependent upon the volume of water flowing in the channel stream. Hydraulic Radius (r) = A/P Influences velocity of water. Shape Ratio = D/W Due to frictional drag, maximum stream velocity is at center of channel near the surface and minimum near the channel floor (bed) and sides (banks).
STREAM DISCHARGE
Flow of water through a stream or river channel. Measured in cubic meters per second. Q = A x Vm = Wm X Dm x Vm where Q is the discharge, A is the cross-sectional area, Vm is the mean velocity, Wm is the average width and Dm is the average depth of flow. Stream discharge varies over both time and space.
Discharge normally increases downstream as more water enters the stream channel from overland flow and groundwater. Discharge also varies temporally because of variations in inputs as precipitation (rainfall) and snow melt. When discharge increases, there is are corresponding changes in velocity, channel depth & width within the stream system. Of the three variables that change within the stream system with an increase in discharge, velocity is the least responsive.
HYDROGRAPH
Plot of stream discharge versus time.
STREAM VELOCITY
Dynamics of stream flow primarily influenced by friction, channel topography & channel shape. Three types flow can be observed: LAMINAR FLOW Water flows as parallel molecular streams and not altered in its direction. TURBULENT FLOW - Water flows as discrete eddies & vortices due to channel topography and friction. HELICAL FLOW - Spiral flow in a stream due to channel shape. Meandering channels cause this type of flow. In three dimensions, there is a complex pattern as the line of maximum velocity (THALWEG) moves from side to side within a channel.
STREAM LOAD
Various materials are transported by streams as they flow from highland areas towards low-lying terrain. Materials (or Sediments) brought into streams not only by overland flow, but also by erosion of the channel sides (or banks) and floors (or stream beds). Quantity of sediments varies temporally due to changes in discharge. Normally, as discharge and velocity increase, the amount of sediment being carried by the stream rises correspondingly.
STREAM LOAD
When discharge increases, more sediment is eroded from stream bed and stream banks. Streams generally transport three types of material: BED LOAD Sand & pebbles which move along stream bed without being permanently suspended in the flowing water SUSPENDED LOAD Silts & clays in suspension DISSOLVED LOAD Material in solution. Absolute quantities and the relative proportions of these types of stream load vary from one stream to another, and within a single stream from one time to another.
STREAM LOAD
STREAM EROSION
LONGITUDINAL PROFILE - Variations in gradient & velocity - Graded profile Equilibrium between erosion & deposition
INCREASED DISCHARGE FLOODS Coarse sediments deposited close to channel (Levees), while finer sediment deposited further away (Back-swamp deposits)
DEVELOPMENT OF LEVEES
SUMMARY
Streams drain land areas & transport sediment from highland to lowland areas. In highland areas, down-cutting of channels (linear erosion) is dominant, whilst in lowland areas, lateral movement of river channels is dominant. Variations in velocity due to environmental factors (especially rainfall), give rise to different sites of erosion or deposition (i.e. different sizes of particles, etc). At river mouths, deposition predominates giving rise to deltas.