River Systems Flashcard

Front

What is a watershed?

Back

A watershed is an area of land where all the water that falls as precipitation drains into a common body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean.

Front

What happens to precipitation that does not infiltrate, evaporate, or transpire in a watershed?

Back

It must exit the watershed through its principal river, stream, or other body of water.

Front

What is a delta?

Back

A delta is a landform that forms at the mouth of a river where it meets a body of water, such as a sea or ocean, characterized by sediment deposition.

Front

What are tributaries?

Back

Tributaries are smaller rivers or streams that flow into a larger river or lake.

Front

What do small tributaries join to form in large watersheds?

Back

They join to form larger tributaries.

Front

What determines the availability of water for a community using a watershed?

Back

The amount and quality of precipitation upstream.

Front

What is the significance of the Great, Laurentian, and Arctic continental divides?

Back

They are significant geographical features that determine the direction of water flow in North America.

Front

What is the Triple Divide Peak?

Back

Triple Divide Peak is the peak where the Great, Laurentian, and Arctic continental divides meet.

Front

What is the role of evaporation in a watershed?

Back

Evaporation is the process by which water is converted from liquid to vapor and returns to the atmosphere, affecting the water cycle.

Front

What is transpiration?

Back

Transpiration is the process by which water is absorbed by plants and released as vapor into the atmosphere.