The Work of Streams
Erosion

Usually happen by streams flowing through their
channels and lifting loose particles by abrasion,
grinding, and by dissolving soluble material.

Ex. Like how sandpaper grinds down wood.
Sediment Transport

Three ways:

1.) In Solution: dissolve load


2.) In Suspension: suspended load


Enters through the groundwater
Carry the largest part of their load this way
3.) Scooting/rolling across the bottom: bed load

Solid material to large to be carried in suspension
Competence and Capacity


Measures the largest part
of the materials that a
stream can transport.
Steam Discharge:
Estimate of how much
water can flow through
in one second.

The maximum load that
the stream can carry

The greater the volume
of water in the stream,
the greater its capacity
for carrying sediment.
Deposition

Occurs when sediments in a stream start to
deposit because the stream slows down.

Two types:

1.) Delta: an accumulation of sediment formed
where a stream enters a lake or ocean.


When a stream/river enters a lake/ocean
2.) Natural Levees: a landform that parallels some
streams. Happens when a stream overflows its
banks.
Narrow Valley vs. Wide Valley

A stream’s primary work
has been to down cut to
the base level.

More commonly known
as a floodplain.
Flood Control

Caused by rapid spring melts or snow storms.

Three types to control floods:
1.) Artificial Levees: Earth mounds on top of the
banks of rivers.
 2.) Flood – Control Dam
 3.) Limiting Development

Drainage Basin

The land area that contributes water to a
stream/river.
Water Beneath the
Surface
Distribution and Movement


Soaks into the ground
but does not travel far.
Seeps until it goes to the
water table.


Moves through the pores
of the groundwater.
Porosity – percentage of
rocks and soil that have
pores.
Springs

Where ever the water reaches the surface of the
Earth.

Spring – a naturally flow of groundwater.
Hot Springs vs. Geysers

Warmer than the air
temperature around it.

Intermittent hot spring –
its on a timer.
Wells


A hole that is bored into the zone of saturation
(water table).
Artesian Well: any formation in which
groundwater rises on its own under pressure.
Environmental Problems

Overuse and contamination

1.) Treating groundwater like it is a
nonrenewable resource
2.) Groundwater Contamination (pollution)

Caverns vs. Sink holes

A naturally formed
underground chamber
caused by erosion from
streams.

A region where
groundwater has
removed the rock.