Rapids and waterfalls are found in youthful streams with a steep slope, while broad floodplains, meanders, and oxbow lakes are features of older streams. A stream system includes a main stream and its tributaries, draining a watershed separated by divides. Meanders are bends in a stream, and deposition forms when a stream spreads out onto flatter land like an alluvial fan or delta where it meets a larger body of water. Over time streams may undergo rejuvenation by downcutting.

1. Surface WaterSurface Water

2. Stream StagesStream Stages
 ________:________:

RapidsRapids

WaterfallsWaterfalls

Fast-moving waterFast-moving water

Steep slopeSteep slope
 _______:_______:

Broad floodplainBroad floodplain

MeandersMeanders

Oxbow lakesOxbow lakes

Meander ScarsMeander Scars
Youthful Old

3. Important DefinitionsImportant Definitions
 ____________ – a stream and all its____________ – a stream and all its
tributariestributaries
 ________ – a smaller stream that empties________ – a smaller stream that empties
into a larger streaminto a larger stream
 _________ – the land area drained by a_________ – the land area drained by a
river systemriver system
 ______ – a high point that separates river______ – a high point that separates river
systemssystems
River System
Tributary
Watershed
Divide

4. ________ – the bends and curves________ – the bends and curves
of a streamof a stream
Meanders

5. Oxbow
lake
deposition
erosion

6. ____________ – deposit formed when a____________ – deposit formed when a
stream spreads out onto a less steep areastream spreads out onto a less steep area
Alluvial Fan

7. _____ – where a stream empties_____ – where a stream empties
into a larger body of waterinto a larger body of water
Delta

8. ____________ – when an old age stream____________ – when an old age stream
downcuts to “make it new again”downcuts to “make it new again”
Rejuvenation

9. Stream LoadStream Load
 A stream can carry its load in threeA stream can carry its load in three
different ways:different ways:
 1.________ – material is dissolved1.________ – material is dissolved
 2.__________ – particles are held up by2.__________ – particles are held up by
stream’s moving waterstream’s moving water
 3._________ – material pushed or rolled3._________ – material pushed or rolled
along the stream’s channelalong the stream’s channel
solution
suspension
bed load

10. Stream DischargeStream Discharge
 Discharge is the amount of water thatDischarge is the amount of water that
flows past a point in a certain amount offlows past a point in a certain amount of
time.time.
 Discharge is dependent upon velocity,Discharge is dependent upon velocity,
depth, and width of the stream.depth, and width of the stream.
 Discharge = _______ x _____ x _____Discharge = _______ x _____ x _____velocity depth width

11. Surface Water Review
solution, suspension, bed load
land area drained by a river system
divide

12. Surface Water Review (continued)
in the center
along the sides and bottom because of the
friction with the channel
a bend or curve in the stream
Maximum on the outside of the
meander and minimum on the inside
inside of meanders
channel