2.2.2 Drainage Basin

The Drainage Basin Processes

The Drainage Basin Processes

Drainage basin

• A major part of the hydrological system, drainage basins drain all the water which lands on the Earth's surface

• A drainage basin is an open system

• Every drainage basin is unique and is different in shape and size, with different rock types, relief and land use

Drainage basin features

• All drainage basins have some features in common:

  • Watershed

  • Source

  • Confluence

  • Tributary

  • Mouth

Drainage Basin Features

Channel network

• Every drainage basin is covered by a network of tributaries which connect to the main river channel. The numbers of tributaries in a drainage basin is referred to as the drainage density:

  • Drainage basins with lots of tributaries have a high drainage density

  • Drainage basins with few tributaries have a low drainage density