The river Eden drainage basin

Question 1

Where is the River Eden drainage basin ?

Answer 1

Located in the Northwest of England in the County of Cumbria.
Boarders Scotland.

Question 2

Basic facts about the drainage basin

Answer 2

-Home to 150,000 people (expected to rise by 10-20,000 in the next 20 years)
-80 miles long
-7 million people visit annually
-97% of catchment is utilised by agriculture

Question 3

Describe precipitation in the Eden drainage basin and how this impacts the water cycle

Answer 3

-800-850 mm yearly in central parts
-2400-3000mm around edges
-Stored become full quickly
-Causes overland flow leading to flooding

Question 4

Explain what the gradient of the drainage basin is like and how this impacts the water cycle

Answer 4

-Low lying in North (0-70m)
-527-605m around edges
-A steep valley
-Water around the edges flows to the centre and water in the North won’t go anywhere

Question 5

Explain the drainage density (tributaries) in the basin and how this impacts the water cycle

Answer 5

-High drainage density (Southwest and Northeast)
-Slightly less in the centre
-Water can drain away quickly
-Creates a flashy hydrograph

Question 6

What is the shape of the basin and how does this affect the water cycle ?

Answer 6

-Elongated
-Water reaches tributaries at different times

Question 7

What is the land use in the Eden and how does this impact the water cycle ?

Answer 7

-Most is grassland
-Agriculture is a main use
-East is wetland
-Not as much vegetation for interception

Question 8

What’s the rock type in the basin and how does this affect the water cycle?

Answer 8

-65% moderately permeable
-Central is high permeability
-Low permeability in southwest
-Water can percolate in most areas
-Less permeable rocks lead to more through flow (more saturated soil)

Question 9

What’s the population density in the basin and how does this affect the water cycle ?

Answer 9

-Carlisle, Penrith, Apple-bay in Westmooreland
-Carlisle is the largest settlement
-Sparsely populated
-Less permeable surfaces
-More surface runoff
-Mostly permeable surface

Question 10

What’s the tree cover like in the basin and how does this impact the water cycle ?

Answer 10

-Barely any tree cover
-Sparsely placed
-Northeast has the highest cover
-More trees around tributaries
-Less interception due to minimal tree coverage
-Leads to more runoff and more water reaching the ground