Drainage Basins

Drainage Basins

IGCSE Geography

Learning Objectives

• Explain the hydrological characteristics and processes that operate within drainage basins

IGCSE Geography

​​A land area drained by a river.

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An area within which water supplied by precipitation is transferred to the ocean, a lake or a larger stream.

Drainage Basin

Drainage Basin

The land provides the water source for the main river and tributaries.

Its size depends on the river size.

Drainage Basin

Catchment area and drainage basin mean the same thing

A watershed is high ground separating two neighbouring drainage basins.

Catchment area and drainage basin mean the same thing

Drainage basins are open systems

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• Water enters the drainage basin through:

  • precipitation

  • snowmelt

  • underground springs

Drainage basins are open systems

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• Water leaves the drainage basin through:

  • ocean

  • evaporation

  • human activities

Hyrdological Cycle and River Systems

• Precipitation

• Interception

• Evaporation

• Evapotranspiration​

• Infiltration

• ​​Overland flow

• Throughflow

• Soil moisture

• Groundwater​

Read pp. 98-101 of the textbook. (Digital/2nd edition)​

EAL Activity

c/o Ms. Jona​

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