Drainage Basin Characteristics

Drainage basin density This falls under the quantitative analysis of drainage basins. Density is the km of channel per sq. km of basin or the amount of stream channel length per unit area. It is calculated by measuring the total length of all the streams within the basin (L) and dividing by the area of the whole basin (A). Drainage Density = L / A * units = km per km2 It is influenced by Geology and soils: on very permeable rocks/soils drainage densities will be low, but increases on highly permeable surfaces. Land use: drainage density is much greater in areas of little vegetation cover. If the area is afforested, density decreases. Time: as river patterns develop over a period of time, the number of tributaries will decrease as will the drainage density. Precipitation: densities as usually highest in areas where rainfall totals and intensity are also high. Relief: Density is usually greater on steeper slopes than on more gentle slopes.

Drainage Patterns
There are various ways of classifying: the most common is by the shape of the river networks or based on accordancy which is the flow of channels in a basin in relation to geology and topography. Opposite to accordancy is discordancy which are patterns which pay little attention to geology or topography. The third method is morphometric which deals with stream order and plan. There are many different types of drainage patterns, but for the CAPE syllabus we will look at only a few. Dendritic A number of streams flow directly down the slope of the original land surface. They are known as Consequent streams (they are a consequence of the slope). In a basin of similar geology, each consequent stream will receive a number of tributaries flowing into it at an oblique angle. These are in turn fed by smaller streams that flow into them. The resulting pattern is described as dendritic from the root word Dendron, Greek for tree like. Examples include; the Caroni River Basin, the Mississippi-Missouri river and the Shannon River in England. These river basins are referred to as being accordant in structure in that they follow geological or topographical patterns. The network grows by headward erosion and more channels are initiated and lengthened to make the network larger and more complex. This network occurs on uniform rock, which lack irregularities such as a fault or a fold. But many networks are beyond geological control. If the basin is elongated with a master stream (trunk) and the tributaries resemble a feather; then this pattern is termed Pinnate.

Radial This pattern is associated with domed structures. The consequent streams flow downwards from the dome centre radiating outwards. Examples include; the Grand Etng in Grenada and rivers that flow in the English Lake District. Where a circular arrangement of streams can be seen, the pattern is described as ANNULAR. With an annular pattern, the streams follow nearly circular or concentric parts along belts of weak rock that surround a dissected dome, where erosion has exposed successive belts of rocks of varying degrees of erodability.

Parallel or Sub-Parallel This occurs on sloping surfaces underlain by homogenous rock. For example, parallel rills, gullies or channels are often seen on freshly exposed highway cuts or excavation sites.

Rectangular Here the channel system is marked by perpendicular bends. These generally result from the presence of joints and cracks in pervious rocks or foliation in metamorphic rocks. Such structures with their crosscutting patterns, have guided the directions of valleys. It is accordant.

Trellised Here there is a rectangular arrangement of channels in which principal tributary streams are parallel and very long. It is common in areas where the outcropping edges of folded sedimentary rocks, both weak and resistant, form long nearly parallel beds. Centripetal In this arrangement, the streams converge towards a central depression such as a volcanic crater/ caldera, a structured basin, a braided dome or a basin created by the dissolution of carbonate rock.

Discordant drainage patterns These streams show complete lack of adjustment to underlying structure and lithologic control. Discordant patterns show no systematic relationship to the local rocks and their structures. Two main types of these patterns exist, the Deranged pattern and the Super-Imposed drainage pattern.