What is drainage density simple definition?

What is drainage density simple definition?

Definitions and basic concepts. The drainage density is the measure of the length of stream channel per unit area of drainage basin. Mathematically it is expressed as: drainage density = stream length / basin area. A drainage network is a system of interconnected stream channels found in a drainage basin.

What does a high drainage density mean?

Large basins receive more precipitation than smaller basins, therefore they have a larger runoff. Basins with a higher drainage density (number of tributary rivers) collect rain water more quickly, therefore the lag time will be shorter.

What controls drainage density?

The conclusion is reached that “drainage density, surface-water runoff, and the movement of ground water are parts of a single hydrological system controlled by the transmissibility of the bedrock and its overlying soil mantle” .

What is the unit for drainage density?

Drainage density is a measurement of the sum of the channel lengths per unit area. It is generally expressed in terms of miles of channel per square mile.

What do you mean by stream density?

Stream density depicts the availability and behavior of water in a watershed. Why is stream density important? Stream density, also known as drainage density, varies from watershed to watershed depending on infiltration capacity, or the ability of the soil to absorb water.

What is trellis drainage?

In river: Drainage patterns. Trellis (or espalier) drainage patterns result from adjustment to tight regional folding in which the folds plunge. Denudation produces a zigzag pattern of outcrops, and adjustment to this pattern produces a stream net in which the trunks are aligned on weak rocks exposed along fold…

Why drainage basins close to one another might have different drainage densities?

Drainage density depends upon both climate and physical characteristics of the drainage basin. Rugged regions or those with high relief will also have a higher drainage density than other drainage basins if the other characteristics of the basin are the same.

What is the use of drainage density?

Drainage density is indicative of infiltration and permeability of a drainage basin, as well as relating to the shape of the hydrograph. Drainage density depends upon both climate and physical characteristics of the drainage basin. High drainage densities also mean a high bifurcation ratio.

What are the 2 types of runoff?

Runoff may be classified according to speed of appearance after rainfall or melting snow as direct runoff or base runoff, and according to source as surface runoff, storm interflow, or groundwater runoff. 2.

How do you calculate drainage density?

In order to calculate drainage density for a basin or sub-basin, you must first ensure that you have the lengths of all channels within the basin’s boundaries (rivers, streams, etc.), as well as the area for the entire basin. Drainage density is calculated using the formula: Drainage Density = total length channels (m) = m-1.

What is the formula for calculating drainage density?

Drainage density is calculated using the formula: Drainage Density = total length channels (m) = m-1 basin area (m2) The procedure below outlines the steps for calculating drainage density in ArcGIS 10. Note: It is important that the data you are working with is in a projected coordinate system with relevant units.

What does a divide do to a drainage basin?

Drainage basins are separated by geographical boundaries such as mounds, hills, ridges, or mountains, that are known as water or drainage divides. The divides aid with determining the direction of the flow of the water, whereas landscape, weather, soil type, and plant life will influence the content and movement of the flow.

What is drainage basin explain?

Drainage basin. A drainage basin is any area of land where precipitation collects and drains off into a common outlet , such as into a river, bay, or other body of water. The drainage basin includes all the surface water from rain runoff, snowmelt, and nearby streams that run downslope towards the shared outlet,…