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4.6 Watersheds

2 min readdecember 31, 2022

Cody Williams

Cody Williams

Cody Williams

Cody Williams

A is a channel (stream, river) that concentrates runoff (water) to the main (a large body of water). Usually, the is at the lowest point in the .

Headwaters are the beginning of a . Watersheds are typically separated by ridges or mountains that form the highest part of the . From here, runoff moves to lower elevations forming streams and rivers.

These streams and rivers can diverge and create sub-watersheds, but all of the runoff discharges into one point, a lake or ocean.

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/10/12/03/03/view-2843338_960_720.jpg

Image Courtesy of Pixabay

Characteristics of A Watershed

The characteristics of a , like size, length, slope, rate, and present plant life, impact its production and efficiency.

  • The size (area) of a can be a reflection of the amount of runoff and what is created by the runoff, i.e. river, stream, or creek. It could also reflect how the runoff is discharged, i.e. the ocean or lake. It also plays a role in how much runoff can be held in the .

  • The length and slope of a play a big factor in the runoff rate.

    • Runoff is increased by steeper slopes that allow water to flow downwards with the help of gravity.

    • The length of a is the distance between the headwaters and the . This mainly impacts how long it takes for runoff to reach the . Hence, the longer the , the longer it would take for runoff to be discharged.

  • The type of soil found in impacts the amount of runoff absorbed by soil as well as the vegetation. If the soil is very sandy or has large particles, the soil will take in more runoff water. In addition, if the soil is fertile, there will be more vegetation. Finally, soil can play a role in filtering water in a .

    • Vegetation plays an important role in soil erosion. The more plants in a , the lesser amount of erosion that will take place. Vegetation can also improve soil fertility and .

    🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams

Key Terms to Review (3)

Discharge Point

: A discharge point is the location where water from a river or stream flows into another body of water, such as a lake, ocean, or another river. It is the endpoint of a watercourse.

Water Filtration

: Water filtration is the process of removing impurities and contaminants from water to make it safe for consumption or other uses. It involves passing water through a physical barrier or using chemical processes to remove particles, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances.

Watershed

: A watershed is an area of land where all the water that falls within it drains into a common body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. It includes both the land and the bodies of water within its boundaries.

4.6 Watersheds

2 min readdecember 31, 2022

Cody Williams

Cody Williams

Cody Williams

Cody Williams

A is a channel (stream, river) that concentrates runoff (water) to the main (a large body of water). Usually, the is at the lowest point in the .

Headwaters are the beginning of a . Watersheds are typically separated by ridges or mountains that form the highest part of the . From here, runoff moves to lower elevations forming streams and rivers.

These streams and rivers can diverge and create sub-watersheds, but all of the runoff discharges into one point, a lake or ocean.

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/10/12/03/03/view-2843338_960_720.jpg

Image Courtesy of Pixabay

Characteristics of A Watershed

The characteristics of a , like size, length, slope, rate, and present plant life, impact its production and efficiency.

  • The size (area) of a can be a reflection of the amount of runoff and what is created by the runoff, i.e. river, stream, or creek. It could also reflect how the runoff is discharged, i.e. the ocean or lake. It also plays a role in how much runoff can be held in the .

  • The length and slope of a play a big factor in the runoff rate.

    • Runoff is increased by steeper slopes that allow water to flow downwards with the help of gravity.

    • The length of a is the distance between the headwaters and the . This mainly impacts how long it takes for runoff to reach the . Hence, the longer the , the longer it would take for runoff to be discharged.

  • The type of soil found in impacts the amount of runoff absorbed by soil as well as the vegetation. If the soil is very sandy or has large particles, the soil will take in more runoff water. In addition, if the soil is fertile, there will be more vegetation. Finally, soil can play a role in filtering water in a .

    • Vegetation plays an important role in soil erosion. The more plants in a , the lesser amount of erosion that will take place. Vegetation can also improve soil fertility and .

    🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams

Key Terms to Review (3)

Discharge Point

: A discharge point is the location where water from a river or stream flows into another body of water, such as a lake, ocean, or another river. It is the endpoint of a watercourse.

Water Filtration

: Water filtration is the process of removing impurities and contaminants from water to make it safe for consumption or other uses. It involves passing water through a physical barrier or using chemical processes to remove particles, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances.

Watershed

: A watershed is an area of land where all the water that falls within it drains into a common body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. It includes both the land and the bodies of water within its boundaries.


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.