| Concept of a drainage basin as an open
system |
Understand the concept of a drainage basin by being
able to delineate actual drainage basins on maps of
appropriate scale. Understand that a drainage system
is an open system that strives to maintain equilibrium
through negative feedbacks.
Understand the terms perimeter, watershed, catchment,
stream order and bifurcation ratio.
Be aware that drainage density and pattern vary
within and between catchments. |
| Operation of a drainage system |
Understand the interplay of precipitation, evapotranspiration,
interception, infiltration, throughflow,
percolation, ground water store and flow, water table,
surface flow or run-off, channel flow and water balance. |
| Mechanics of a drainage system |
Understand the impacts of moving water in a drainage
basin, especially the change in velocity.
Understand the following terms: types of flow,
channel shape, bed roughness (hydraulic radius),
gradient, transportation, competence, capacity,
erosion and deposition.
Understand the principle of Manning’s roughness
coefficient, if only to dispel the view that streams
flow more slowly in their lower courses than in their
upper ones. Calculation of the coefficient is not required. |
| Controls on a drainage system |
Appreciate that controls should not be viewed in
isolation from one another but as an interacting set
contributing to the behaviour of a drainage system,
most notably in times of flooding. Study the following
controls: basin size, shape and relief (including slope),
atmospheric controls, rock type, soil, land use and
vegetation.
Understand hydrographs and how they vary in form in
response to controls, and how to use them as an aid to
explain discharge. |
