GOPH 375 Lecture Notes - Saguenay Flood, 2013 Alberta Floods, Ice Dam
Document Summary
Big floods are rarer than little floods. Base flow is the part of the river that flows all the time: ground water flows in winter. Stream floors have a steeper bottom/slope (higher gradient) near the stream source, and a flatter bottom (lower gradient) near the stream mouth. Base level - level below which a stream cannot erode. Discharge the rate of water flow expressed as volume per unit of time. Gradient the slope of the stream bottom. Channel pattern the sinuosity (curves) of the stream path. Graded stream theory: streams maintain equilibrium by changing the gradient of the sea. Rainfall infiltration into ground is most common in porous/dry soil that"s flat with vegetation. Runoff occurs on already saturated ground with steep slopes. Flood plains: floors of streams during floods; are at a high risk of flooding again. Short streams have a higher chance of flooding.
