Factors affecting the drainage basin and storm hydrographs

Deforestion
1. Less trees means less of the water is intercepted or absorbed by trees for evapotranspiration
2. Deforestation can also lead to less rainfall
Agricultural Practises
1. Poor practises such as compacted soil from livestock can lead to more/quicker runoff
Soil depth, type and condition
1. Thin impermeable soil means less infiltration. If the soil is already damp from antecedent rainfall there will be even less infiltration
Urbanisation
1. More urbanisation means more impermeable surfaces in towns and possibly drains that will move water faster into the river
Lithology
1. Impermeable rocks means there is less percolation
Vegetation type
1. Deciduous woodland will suffer more moisture loss than moorland vegetation
Season
1. In the summer months there is more evapotranspiration, meaning more water will be absorbed by plant life
Amount/intensity of rainfall
1. More rainfall means more water in the drainage basin
Presence of stores (Lakes, swamps)
Climate
1. A damper climate means more rain, it can also allow more evapotranspiration
Drainage Basin Density
1. The more streams in the drainage basin, the more water that reaches the river
Snow Melt
1. Fast snow melt can increase the amount of water reaching the river

Resource summary

	Created by strangelyblue over 10 years ago