A high gradient indicates a steep slope and rapid flow of water (i.e. more ability to erode); where as a low gradient indicates a more nearly level stream bed
What is a high stream gradient?
higher gradient = steeper . Areas of the stream that are farthest from the mouth and at the highest elevation of the river system are called the HEADWATERS.
Which stream has a lower gradient?
Low-gradient streams cut wide valleys because their channels tend to shift sideways. Most low-gradient streams do this by meandering . A meandering stream is a stream with a channel that curves or loops back and forth on a wide floodplain.
What is meant by gradient of a stream?
Gradient is the slope of the stream and is measured by the difference in elevation between two points on a stream divided by the distance between the two points that the water actually flows . Gradient is usually expressed in feet per mile of meters per kilometer.
Where is stream gradient the lowest?
For example, a gradient of 10 feet per mile means that the elevation of the channel drops a total of 10 feet over 1 mile of horizontal distance traveled. Gradients are typically the lowest at a river’s mouth , and highest at its headwaters. The higher the gradient, the faster the stream flows. Channel shape and texture.
Where is a stream gradient the steepest?
Slopes of the land surface are generally much steeper at the headwaters than in the lower parts of the river system. (See Figure 1.) The velocities of flow in high-gradient streams are high.
Why is stream gradient important?
The gradient, or steepness, of a streambed drives many important processes, such as erosion , sediment movement, and the speed of water flow. Artificially steep channels can speed water flow and cause erosion. ...
Where is stream gradient usually greatest?
Stream gradients tend to be higher in a stream’s headwaters (where it originates) and lower at their mouth, where they discharge into another body of water (such as the ocean).
What is the relationship between gradient and stream load?
As the velocity rises or falls , so does the amount of load. Consider the situation of where a stream flows into a body of water. As the stream flows downslope, it is carrying a load based on the gradient and velocity of the stream. When the stream empties into the water body, that gradient is lost.
What best describes a stream with a steep gradient?
Gravity. As the slope of stream bed increases, the average velocity of stream generally. Increases flowing more quickly. Which statement best describes a stream with steep gradient? Flows rapidly v shaped valley .
How do you write a stream gradient?
GRADIENT. Gradient = vertical difference in elevation / horizontal distance . So, to calculate the average gradient along the stream from the red dot at B to the red dot at A (or vice versa) two facts need to be known: The difference in elevation between B and A.
What is another term for the gradient of a stream?
[′strēm ‚grād·ē·ənt] (geology) The angle, measured in the direction of flow, between the water surface (for large streams) or the channel flow (for small streams) and the horizontal. Also known as stream slope .
How do we calculate gradient?
To calculate the gradient of a straight line we choose two points on the line itself. The difference in height (y co-ordinates) ÷ The difference in width (x co-ordinates) . If the answer is a positive value then the line is uphill in direction. If the answer is a negative value then the line is downhill in direction.
What is bed gradient?
The depth–slope product is used to calculate the shear stress at the bed of an open channel containing fluid that is undergoing steady, uniform flow. It is widely used in river engineering, stream restoration, sedimentology, and fluvial geomorphology.
What is the fastest part of a stream?
Streams. If a stream is flowing along straight, the strongest, fastest flow will be in the center of the stream well above the bottom of the bed or channel but below the surface .
What is a stream gradient quizlet?
gradient is the steepness of the stream’s slope . ... the faster a stream flows, the higher the discharge and greather the load that the stream can carry.
