EENS 111 |
Physical Geology
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Tulane University |
Prof. Stephen A. Nelson |
Streams and Drainage Systems |
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Streams A stream is a body of water that carries rock particles and dissolved ions and flows down slope along a clearly defined path, called a channel. Thus, streams may vary in width from a few centimeters to several tens of kilometers. Streams are important for several reasons:
The objectives for this discussion are as follows:
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Drainage Systems
Development of Streams - Steamflow begins when water is added to the surface from rainfall, melting snow,and groundwater. Drainage systems develop in such a way as to
efficiently move water off the land. Streamflow begins as moving sheetwash which is a thin surface layer of water. The water moves down the steepest slope and starts to erode the surface by creating small rill channels. As the rills coalesce, deepen,
and downcut into channels larger channels form. Rapid erosion lengthens the channel upslope in a process called headward erosion. Over time, nearby channels merge with smaller tributaries joining a larger trunk stream. (See figure 17.3 in your text). The linked channels become what is known as a drainage network. With continued erosion of the channels, drainage networks change over time. |
Drainage Patterns - Drainages tend to develop along zones where rock type and structure
are most easily eroded. Thus various types of drainage patterns develop in a region and
these drainage patterns reflect the structure of the rock.
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Drainage Basins - Each stream in a drainage system drains a certain area, called a drainage basin (also called a catchment or a watershed). In a single drainage basin, all water falling in the basin drains into the same stream. A drainage divide separates each drainage basin from other drainage basins. Drainage basins can range in size from a few km2, for small streams, to extremely large areas, such as the Mississippi River drainage basin which covers about 40% of the contiguous United States (see figure 17.5c in your text). Continental Divides - Continents can be divided into large drainage basins
that empty into different ocean basins. For example: North America can be divided into
several basins west of the Rocky Mountains that empty into the Pacific Ocean. Streams in
the northern part of North America empty into the Arctic Ocean, and streams East of the
Rocky Mountains empty into the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. Lines separating these
major drainage basins are termed Continental Divides. Such divides usually run along high
mountain crests that formed recently enough that they have not been eroded. Thus major
continental divides and the drainage patterns in the major basins reflect the recent
geologic history of the continents. Permanent Streams - Streams that flow all year are called permanent streams. Their surface is at or below the water table. They occur in humid or temperate climates where there is sufficient rainfall and low evaporation rates. Water levels rise and fall with the seasons, depending on the discharge. Ephemeral Streams - Streams that only occasionally have water flowing are called ephemeral streams or dry washes. They are above the water table and occur in dry climates with low amounts of rainfall and high evaporation rates. They flow mostly during rare flash floods. |
Geometry and Dynamics of Stream Channels Discharge The stream channel is the conduit for water being carried by the stream. The stream can continually adjust its channel shape and path as the amount of water passing through the channel changes. The volume of water passing any point on a stream is called the discharge. Discharge is measured in units of volume/time (m3/sec or ft3/sec).
Discharge (m3/sec) = Cross-sectional Area [width x average
depth] (m2)
x Average Velocity (m/sec). Velocity A stream's velocity depends on position in the stream channel, irregularities in the stream channel caused by resistant rock, and stream gradient. Friction slows water along channel edges. Friction is greater in wider, shallower streams and less in narrower, deeper streams.
Cross Sectional Shape Cross-sectional shape varies with position in the stream, and discharge. The deepest part of channel occurs where the stream velocity is the highest. Both width and depth increase downstream because discharge increases downstream. As discharge increases the cross sectional shape will change, with the stream becoming deeper and wider. |
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Streams erode because they have the ability to pick up rock fragments and transport them to a new location. The size of the fragments that can be transported depends on the velocity of the stream and whether the flow is laminar or turbulent. Turbulent flow can keep fragments in suspension longer than laminar flow.
Streams can also erode by undercutting their banks resulting in mass-wasting processes like slumps or slides. When the undercut material falls into the stream, the fragments can be transported away by the stream. Streams can cut deeper into their channels if the region is uplifted or if there is a local change in base level. As they cut deeper into their channels the stream removes the material that once made up the channel bottom and sides. Although slow, as rocks move along the stream bottom and collide with one another, abrasion of the rocks occurs, making smaller fragments that can then be transported by the stream. Finally, because some rocks and minerals are easily dissolved in water, dissolution also occurs, resulting in dissolved ions being transported by the stream.
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Sediment Transport and Deposition The rock particles and dissolved ions carried by the stream are the called the stream's load. Stream load is divided into three categories.
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The maximum size of particles that can be carried as suspended load by the stream is called stream competence. The maximum load carried by the stream is called stream capacity. Both competence and capacity increase with increasing discharge. At high discharge boulder and cobble size material can move with the stream and are therefore transported. At low discharge the larger fragments become stranded and only the smaller, sand, silt, and clay sized fragments move. When flow velocity decreases the competence is reduced and sediment drops out. Sediment grain sizes are sorted by the water. Sands are removed from gravels; muds from both. Gravels settle in channels. Sands drop out in near channel environments. Silts and clays drape floodplains away from channels.
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Changes Downstream As one moves along a stream in the downstream direction:
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It may seem to be counter to your observations that velocity increases in the downstream direction, since when one observes a mountain stream near the headwaters where the gradient is high, it appears to have a higher velocity than a stream flowing along a gentle gradient. But, the water in the mountain stream is likely flowing in a turbulent manner, due to the large boulders and cobbles which make up the streambed. If the flow is turbulent, then it takes longer for the water to travel the same linear distance, and thus the average velocity is lower. |
Also as one moves in the downstream direction,
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Long Profile A plot of elevation versus distance. Usually shows a steep gradient or slope, near the source of the stream and a gentle gradient as the stream approaches its mouth. The long profile is concave upward, as shown by the graph below. |
Base Level Base level is defined as the limiting level below which a stream cannot erode its channel. For streams that empty into the oceans, base level is sea level. Local base levels can occur where the stream meets a resistant body of rock, where a natural or artificial dam impedes further channel erosion, or where the stream empties into a lake. |
When a natural or artificial dam impedes stream flow, the stream adjusts to the new base level by adjusting its long profile. In the example here, the long profile above and below the dam are adjusted. Erosion takes place downstream from the dam (especially if it is a natural dam and water can flow over the top). Just upstream from the dam the velocity of the stream is lowered so that deposition of sediment occurs causing the gradient to become lower. The dam essentially become the new base level for the part of the stream upstream from the dam. In general, if base level is lowered, the stream cuts downward into its channel and erosion is accelerated. If base level is raised, the stream deposits sediment and readjusts its profile to the new base level. Valleys and Canyons Land far above base level is subject to downcutting by the stream. Rapid downcutting creates an eroded trough which can become either a valley or canyon. A valley has gently sloping sidewalls that show a V-shape in cross-section. A Canyon has steep sidewalls that form cliffs. Whether or valley or canyon is formed depends on the rater of erosion and strength of the rocks. In general, slow downcutting and weak, easily erodable rocks results in valleys and rapid downcutting in stronger rocks results in canyons. Because geologic processes stack strong and weak rocks, such stratigraphic variation often yields a stair step profile of the canyon walls, as seen in the Grand Canyon. Strong rocks yield vertical cliffs, whereas weak rocks produce more gently sloped canyon walls. Active downcutting flushes sediment out of channels. Only after the sediment is flushed our can further downcutting occur. Valleys store sediment when base level is raised.
Rapids are turbulent water with a rough surface. Rapids occur where the stream gradient suddenly increases, where the stream flows over large clasts in the bed of the stream, or where there is an abrupt narrowing of the channel. Sudden change in gradient may occur where an active fault crosses the stream channel. Large clasts may be transported into the stream by a tributary stream resulting in rapids where the two streams join. Abrupt narrowing of the stream may occur if the stream encounters strong rock that is not easily subject to erosion. Waterfalls Waterfalls are temporary base levels caused by strong erosion resistant rocks. Upon reaching the strong rock, the stream then cascades or free falls down the steep slope to form a waterfalls. Because the rate of flow increases on this rapid change in gradient, erosion occurs at the base of the waterfall where a plunge pool forms. This can initiate rapid erosion at the base, resulting in undercutting of the cliff that caused the waterfall. When undercutting occurs, the cliff becomes subject to rockfalls or slides. This results in the waterfall retreating upstream and the stream eventually eroding through the cliff to remove the waterfall. Niagara Falls in upstate New York is a good example.
Lake Erie drops 55 m flowing toward Lake Ontario. A dolostone caprock is resistant and the underlying shale erodes.
Blocks of unsupported dolostone collapse and fall. |
Channel Patterns
Straight Channels - Straight stream channels are rare. Where they do occur, the channel is usually controlled by a linear zone of weakness in the underlying rock, like a fault or joint system. |
Even in straight channel segments water flows in a sinuous fashion, with the deepest part of the channel changing from near one bank to near the other. Velocity is highest in the zone overlying the deepest part of the stream. In these areas, sediment is transported readily resulting in pools. Where the velocity of the stream is low, sediment is deposited to form bars. |
The bank closest to the zone of highest velocity is usually eroded and results in a cutbank. Meandering Channels - Because of the velocity structure of a stream, and
especially in streams flowing over low gradients with easily eroded banks, straight
channels will eventually erode into meandering channels. Erosion will take
place on the outer parts of the meander bends where the velocity of the stream is highest.
Sediment deposition will occur along the inner meander bends where the velocity is low.
Such deposition of sediment results in exposed bars, called point bars.
Because meandering streams are continually eroding on the outer meander bends and
depositing sediment along the inner meander bends, meandering stream channels tend to
migrate back and forth across their flood plain. |
If erosion on the outside meander bends continues to take place, eventually a meander bend can become cut off from the rest of the stream. When this occurs, the cutoff meander bend, because it is still a depression, will collect water and form a type of lake called an oxbow lake. |
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Braided Channels - In streams having highly variable discharge and easily eroded banks, sediment gets deposited to form bars and islands that are exposed during periods of low discharge. In such a stream the water flows in a braided pattern around the islands and bars, dividing and reuniting as it flows downstream. Such a channel is termed a braided channel. During periods of high discharge, the entire stream channel may contain water and the islands are covered to become submerged bars. During such high discharge, some of the islands could erode, but the sediment would be re-deposited as the discharge decreases, forming new islands or submerged bars. Islands may become resistant to erosion if they become inhabited by vegetation |
Stream Deposits Sudden changes in velocity can result in deposition by streams. Within a stream we have seen that the velocity varies with position, and, if sediment gets moved to the lower velocity part of the stream the sediment will come out of suspension and be deposited. Other sudden changes in velocity that affect the whole stream can also occur. For example if the discharge is suddenly increased, as it might be during a flood, the stream will overtop its banks and flow onto the floodplain where the velocity will then suddenly decrease. This results in deposition of such features as levees and floodplains. If the gradient of the stream suddenly changes by emptying into a flat-floored basin, an ocean basin, or a lake, the velocity of the stream will suddenly decrease resulting in deposition of sediment that can no longer be transported. This can result in deposition of such features as alluvial fans and deltas. |
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Drainage Evolution Landscapes on Earth's surface evolve over time with the main cause of change being streamflow and the resulting erosion and deposition. For example: Stream Piracy
Drainage Reversal
Superposed and Antecedent Streams In looking at the landscape, it is often evident that streams sometimes cut through deformed terrain seemingly ignoring the geologic structures and hardness of the rock. If a stream initially develops on younger flat strata made of soft material and then cuts downward into the underlying deformed strata while maintaining the course developed in the younger strata, it is referred to as a superposed stream, because the stream pattern was superposed on the underlying rocks. In such cases much of the original soft strata is removed. (see figure 17.29 in your text). If tectonic uplift raises the ground beneath established streams and if erosion
keeps pace with uplift, the stream will cut downward and maintain its original course. In such a case, the stream is called an antecedent stream, because the stream was present before the uplift occurred . (See figure 17.30 in your textbook). Some antecedent streams have incised meanders. The meanders initially develop on a gentle gradient then uplift raises the landscape (dropping the base level) and the meanders cut downward into the uplifted landscape (see figure 17.28 in your text for an example). |
Floods
Floods occur when the discharge of the stream becomes too high to be accommodated in the normal stream channel. When the discharge becomes too high, the stream widens its channel by overtopping its banks and flooding the low-lying areas surrounding the stream. The areas that become flooded are called floodplains. Floodwaters are devastating to people and property.
During a flood discharge exceeds the storage volume of the stream channel.
Velocity (thus, competence and capacity) increase and water leaves the channel and flows onto adjacent land.
Water slows away from the thalweg, dropping sediment. Causes of Flooding
Flood Stage
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Lag Time The time difference between when heavy precipitation occurs and when peak
discharge occurs in the streams draining an area is called lag time. |
If the amount of rain is high over a short time period, lag time is short. If the amount of rain is high over a longer time period, lag time is longer. Lack of infiltration and interception reduce lag time
Any time the surface materials of the Earth are covered with impermeable materials like concrete, asphalt, or buildings, the infiltration of water into the soil is prevented. Urbanization tends to reduce infiltration, and thus water must collect in storm sewers and eventually in the main drainage systems. Thus, extensive urbanization also decreases the lag time and increases the peak discharge even further. Urbanization can therefore lead to a higher incidence of flash floods.
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Flooding Risk Discharge data collected over a long period of time on streams can be used to calculate flood probability. The data are plotted on a graph of Peak Discharge for each year versus recurrence interval. Note that the logarithm of the recurrence interval is used. As an example, such a graph is shown for the Red River of the North at Fargo, North Dakota below. |
From such a graph one can determine the stage or discharge for different recurrence intervals. The 10 year flood is defined as the discharge that would have a 10% probability of occurring every year. Similarly, the 100 year flood is the discharge that has a 1% chance of occurring every year. Note that the 100 year flood does not necessarily occur only once every 100 years. For example, the graph for the Red River of the North, above, shows that 2 250 year floods occurred in an 8 year period. Flood Hazard Mapping Food hazard mapping is used to determine the areas susceptible to flooding when discharge of a stream exceeds the bank-full stage. Using historical data on river stages and discharge of previous floods, along with topographic data, maps can be constructed to show areas expected to be covered with floodwaters for various discharges or stages. |
Flood Control
With a better understanding of the behavior of streams, the probability of flooding, and areas likely to be flooded during high discharge, humans can undertake measures to reduce vulnerability to flooding. Among the regulatory measures are: |
Example of a Flood During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, much of New Orleans flooded, mainly as a result of levee and floodwall failures that occurred on human made drainage and navigation canals. In lecture, this event will be discussed in some detail. For details on the geological aspects of the flood events see the following web page and its included links - www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/Katrina. |
Examples of questions on this material that could be asked on an exam
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