River Regime Flashcards
Definition of river regime
The variability in its discharge throughout the course of a year in response to precipitation / temp / evapotranspiration and drainage basin characteristics.
Uk rainfall
Even distributed through yeah with slight autumn / winter maximum ( particularly in west )
However seasonal variations in temp and sunshine amounts mean that ET losses heavily concentrated in summer.
River regime of river Avon in bath
Highest discharge winter. Slightly higher rainfall, not much ET.
Discharge falls in spring and early summer as plants take up more water - ET increases.
Later summer - highest temps and plants in full leaf increase ET
Autumn flow rises as leave are lost and temp falls and increase in wind
Why would a river in a very cold region have low discharge, what would happen after ?
As the very low temps mean much precipitation remains on the ground as snow and sometimes river freezes.
This would follow with very high discharge as spring temps cause snow / ice to melt which increases run off into rivers.
Name other characteristics which affect river regime .
Climatic conditions
Underlying geology
Rainfall
