River and Streams Terms

Rivers

Youthful stream –The beginning stages of a river. A matured stream that has returned back to youthful habits due to an uplift or rejuvination.

V-shaped valley- A valley with cross-sectional structure in the shape of a v, usually created by river erosion.

Evapotranspiration- the amount of water evaporation and plant transpiration from the Earth's land to the atmosphere.

Headward Erosion- the lengthening of a young valley or gully by water erosion at the head of the valley.

Vertical Erosion- When the depth of the river is greater than the width, causing erosion to take place on the bed of the river.

Lateral Erosion- When the water erodes the sediments on the stream channel.

Flood Plain- A plain bordering a river that is at possibility of flooding.

Precipitation- the water that has evaporated into the air, after it falls.

Alluvium- Sediment deposited by flowing water in riverbeds, floodplains or deltas.

Meander- A stream that follows a winding, turning course.

Undercut Banks/Slip-off Slopes- Strong flow of water against an Earthen bank that can create cave like forms and overhangs. (Slip off slopes: the low, gentle overhang on the inside of the downside face of a stream.)

Old Age stream- River that has almost reached it's base level, thus making it slow, and gradient and velocity very low.

Levees- natural or artificial wall or slope used to regulate water levels.

Oxbow Lakes- A U shaped body of water created by river that is cut off to make a lake.

Yazoo Streams- A stream that runs parallel to, and sometimes within the floodplain of, a river.

Solution-

condensation- The procedure of moisture (or a gaseous matter) solidifying into a liquid or solid state.

Suspension-

Traction/Saltation- Process of particle transportation by water.

Abrasion/Corrasion The weathering down by boulders and pebbles crashing against the shore rocks or sea cliffs. This can cause undercutting.

Attrition- Boulders or pebbles crashing against the shore themselves breaking.

Evaporation- The process of water turning into a gaseous form- mist/ moisture.

Corrosion- Materials dissolved by seawater.

Hydraulic Action- A form of erosion caused by moving water rushing into a crack in the riverbed, leaving air in it, and acting like a wedge. When the water exits the cracks, they grow bigger.

Water Shed- A ridge of high landing dividing two areas that are drained by different river systems.

Tributaries- A stream. River or glacier that feeds a larger one.

Distributaries- A branch or stream that flows away from the river, and doesn't return to it.

Confluence- A flowing together of two or more streams.

Transpiration- Emission of water vapor through the leaves of plants.

Interfluve- The region of higher land between two rivers of the same level and drainage system.

Divide- Kind of like a watershed- the area of high land that separates draining basins.

Hydrologic Cycle- Another name for “water cycle” the cycle of evaporation, precipitation, etc.

Paired Terraces- Also known as a “matched terrace”, it is two stream terraces that face eachother at opposite sides of the stream from the same elevation and represent same remnants from a floodplain or valley floor.

Alluvial Fan- Cone- shaped deposit of sediments left by a fast flowing river that runs onto a a level plain, valley floor or basin abruptly.

Arcuate Delta- A bowed or curved delta with the convex area facing the water.

Birds foot Delta- A delta with long, projecting branches that spread out like birds talons.

Cuspate Delta- Pointed, shaped by gentle water opposing it.

Estuary- Partially enclosed coastal body of water, usually with a connection to the ocean, where salt and fresh water mix.

Braided Stream- A stream flowing in several channels that weave.

Run off- the water that just runs over the ground, usually after a heavy rainfall.

Groundwater- Water that is found underneath the surface of the earth.


Trellis- a weaved structure of wood usually used to support plant life?

Radial- Branching out in all directions with a common center.

Dendritic- Drainage pattern of a stream or river, like a tree, branching out.

Deranged- To upset/ disturb the arrangement of things

Mature stream- A river with a gradient less steep and slower flowing than a youthful one.