What is a river regime?
variability in its discharge throughout the course of a year in response to precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration and drainage basin characteristics
How many are there in the UK?
1,500
What do river regimes vary on?
sensitive to climatic variation/land use changes/water abstraction
What is a storm hydrograph?
the graph of discharge of a river leading up to and following a storm/rainfall event
Why are storm hydrographs important?
they predict how a river might respond to a rainstorm
Characteristics of a hydrograph?
- base flow
- peak rainfall
- rising limb
- receding limb
- overland/throughflow
- peak discharge
- lag time
Flashy hydrograph?
- short lag time
- high peak discharge
- steep rising & falling limbs
Drainage basins that are circular?
lead to flashy hydrographs because each point in the drainage basin is roughly equidistant from the measuring point on a river
Drainage basins with steep sides?
flashier hydrographs because water flows more quickly on the steep slopes
