The water cycle: Practice Questions

Which process in the drainage basin involves the movement of water from the soil surface into the soil profile?

How does the process of water abstraction for industrial or agricultural use typically impact the water balance of a local drainage basin?

Which of the following describes the drainage basin as a system in physical geography?

A flood hydrograph shows the relationship between river discharge and time. Which of the following factors is most likely to result in a longer lag time and a flatter rising limb?

In a drainage basin system, which term refers to the volume of water flowing through a river channel at a given point over a specific period of time?

Briefly describe the difference between infiltration and overland flow within a drainage basin system.

Explain the concept of water balance within the context of a drainage basin.

State what a flood hydrograph represents and name one factor that influences its shape.

(a) Define the term 'water balance' within the context of a drainage basin system.
(b) Briefly explain how the magnitude of the soil water store changes when precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration and runoff.

A researcher is studying a flood hydrograph for a specific storm event. The data shows a very short 'lag time' and a high 'peak discharge'.
(a) Explain how the following two factors might contribute to these hydrograph characteristics:
(i) Steep basin topography.
(ii) Antecedent rainfall (saturated soil).
(b) State the formula for the water balance equation, using symbols such as \(P\) for precipitation, \(Q\) for runoff, \(E\) for evapotranspiration, and \(\Delta S\) for storage change.