Details Title: Chapter 11 Description: Fresh Water: Streams, Lakes, Ground Water, and Wetlands Total Flash Cards: 28 Created: 10/13/2009 13:07:16		New Users: To study from this flashcard set, or to create your own your own study flash cards, REGISTER HERE. Existing Users: CLICK HERE. Additional Geology Flashcards
Cards in this set: Term Hydrologic Cycle Definition The constant circulation of water amoug the se, the atmospherem and the land Term Runoff Definition water that flows back to the oceans in surface streams Term Ground Water Definition water contained in soil and bedrock. all surface water Term Transpiration Definition direct evaporation from the leaf surfaces of plants Term Stream Definition a moving body of water confined in a channel and flowing downslope Term Tributary Definition any stream that contributes water to another stream Term Gradient Definition the verticle drop of a stream over a specific distance Term Discharge Definition the volume of water flowing downstream per unit time. It is measured in unitit of cubic meters per second (m3/ sec) Term Channel Characteristics Definition channel characteristics refer to the shape and roughness of a stream channel Term Bed Definition the floor of a stream channel Term Bank Definition the rising slope bordering the side of a stream channel Term Competence Definition a measure of the largest particles that a stream can transport Term Capacity Definition the maximum quantity of sediment that a stream can carry Term Dissolved Load Definition the portion of a stream's sediment load that is carried in solution Term Suspended Load Definition the portion of a stream's load that is carried for a considerable time in suspension, free from contact with the streambed Term Bed Load Definition the portion of a stream's load that is transported on or immediately above the streambed Term Downcutting Definition downward erosion by a stream Term Base Level Definition the deepest level to which a sream can erode its bed. the ultimate base level is usually sea level, but this is seldom attained Term Graded Stream Definition a stream with a smooth, concave profile. A graded stream is in equilibrium with its sediment supply; it transports all the sediment supplied to it with neither erosion nor deposition in the streambed Term Lateral Erosion Definition the action of a stream as it cuts into and erodes its banks. Term Meander Definition one of a series of sinuous curves or loops in the course of a stream Term Point Bar Definition a stream deposit located on the inside of a growing meander Term Oxbow Lake Definition a cresent-shaped lake formed whre a meander is cut off from a stream and the ends of the cut-off meander become plugged with sediment Term Braided Stream Definition a stream that divides into a network of branching and reuniting shallow channels separated by midchannel bars Term Drainage Basin Definition the region that is ultimately drained by a single river Term Alluvial Fan Definition a fan-like accumulation of sediment created where a steep streamslows down rapidly as it reaches a relatively flat valley floor Term Delta Definition the nearly flat, alluvial, fan-shaped tract of land at the mouth of a steam Term Distributary Definition a channel that flows outward from the main stream channel, such as is commonly found in deltas