Can we define “drainage density” for a soil column (point-scale)?

Asked by: Karen Handy

How is drainage density determined?

Drainage density is a measurement of the sum of the channel lengths per unit area. It is generally expressed in terms of miles of channel per square mile.

What is drainage density simple definition?

The drainage density is the measure of the length of stream channel per unit area of drainage basin. Mathematically it is expressed as: drainage density = stream length / basin area. A drainage network is a system of interconnected stream channels found in a drainage basin.

What does drainage density tell you?

Quote from video: So the formula of drainage density cable. Quick it has no fixed definition K. It goes by a formula. So the formula is basically drainage density equals total stream length over the total basin area so

What controls drainage density?

The conclusion is reached that “drainage density, surface-water runoff, and the movement of ground water are parts of a single hydrological system controlled by the transmissibility of the bedrock and its overlying soil mantle” .

What is high drainage density?

Type of drainage basin



Basins with a higher drainage density (number of tributary rivers) collect rain water more quickly, therefore the lag time will be shorter.

What is a drainage density map?

Drainage Density Map: Drainage density is defined as the closeness of spacing of stream channels; since Nala(river) were also located was also present in the study area i.e Samaji Nala. It is a measure of the total length of the stream segment of all orders per unit area.

Which refers to drainage density quizlet?

Drainage density refers to. Ratio of the total length of channels to the area of the basins.

How do you create a drainage density map?

Quote from video: Out divided by my area which is the area square kilometer. And I just do okay. So my drainage density with my study area is 0.67. Per square kilometer so I have a drainage density of 0.67.

What is drainage frequency?

Drainage frequency is the number of streams in per unit area. It is associated with lithology, degree of slope, stages of fluvial cycle and amount of surface run-off.

What is drainage intensity?

Drainage intensity (DI) is the rate of water movement through the soil into the drain pipes.

Why drainage density change during the course of the year?

In the wet season there will be higher rainfall, which leads to higher volumes of water leading to more 1st and 2nd order streams/rivers. The area will have high rates of run-off, as soils will be saturated. This increases the drainage basin order. In the dry season there will be less run-off due to less rainfall.

How does soil infiltration capacity affect drainage density?

Drainage basins characterised by impermeable rock and soils tend to have higher drainage density due to the lack of infiltration and percolation. This means that water enters a channel quickly, leading to an increase in discharge.

What are the factors influence drainage?

Factors Influencing Drainage:

• Topography of the affected area of the adjoining watershed which contributes flow of the problem area.
• Soil characteristics.
• Rainfall and other climatic factors.
• Crop factors.

What are the characteristics of drainage system?

Characteristics of the drainage basin

• Drainage basin – the area of land drained by a river.
• Catchment area – the area within the drainage basin.
• Watershed – the edge of highland surrounding a drainage basin which marks the boundary between two drainage basins.
• Source – the beginning or start of a river.

How does rainfall affect drainage density?

With all other factors being constant, an increase in precipitation in the drainage basin results in an increase in drainage density. A decrease in precipitation, such as in an arid environment, results in a lower drainage density.

How does Arcgis calculate drainage density?

Quote from video: Out divided by my area which is the area square kilometer. And I just do okay. So my drainage density with my study area is 0.67. Per square kilometer so I have a drainage density of 0.67.

How does geology affect drainage density?

Drainage basins characterised by impermeable rock and soils tend to have higher drainage density due to the lack of infiltration and percolation. This means that water enters a channel quickly, leading to an increase in discharge.

Why does drainage density change throughout the year?

In the wet season there will be higher rainfall, which leads to higher volumes of water leading to more 1st and 2nd order streams/rivers. The area will have high rates of run-off, as soils will be saturated. This increases the drainage basin order. In the dry season there will be less run-off due to less rainfall.

How does climate affect drainage density?

R₀, the average precipitation term, shows the dependence of drainage density on climate. With all other factors being constant, an increase in precipitation in the drainage basin results in an increase in drainage density. A decrease in precipitation, such as in an arid environment, results in a lower drainage density.

Why is drainage density important?

For hydrologists, drainage density is significant in that it plays an important role in surface-runoff processes, influencing the intensity of torrential floods, the concentration, the sediment load and even the water balance in a drainage basin.

What are the factors influence drainage?

Factors Influencing Drainage:

• Topography of the affected area of the adjoining watershed which contributes flow of the problem area.
• Soil characteristics.
• Rainfall and other climatic factors.
• Crop factors.