How does a river system work? Learning Outcome: I will understand what a drainage basin is. I will understand how the river basin system works. STARTER Copy this definition: A river or drainage basin is the area drained by a single stream or network of streams. A watershed forms the boundary and divides one river basin from its neighbour.

The River Basin System A river or drainage basin is the area drained by a single stream or network of streams. A watershed forms the boundary and divides one river basin from its neighbour.

Catchment The area from which water drains into a particular drainage basin. Tributary A river which joins a larger river. Confluence The point at which two rivers join. Watershed The boundary dividing one drainage basin from another- a ridge of high land. What is a drainage basin? Source The upland area where the river begins. Mouth Where the river flows into the sea, or sometimes a lake.

Your book A template A stick of glue Scissors Pencil crayons- blue and brown A pen

Cut out the template. Make sure you cut up the vertical line.

Using a brown crayon, shade around the circumference of the circle.

Using a blue crayon, shade the left triangle, draw some blue lines running from the top of the triangle and branching out towards the edge of the circle.

Watershed the area of high land forming the edge of a river basin. Source where a river begins. Mouth where a river meets the sea. Confluence the point at which two rivers meet. Tributary a small river or stream that joins a larger river. Channel this is where the river flows. Drainage Basin this is the area of land drained by a river and its tributaries. 1 You will now need a pen. Number the following features on your template

Glue the remaining blank triangle.

Stick the glued triangle under the shaded triangle, so it fits neatly.

Open your book to a double page. Glue the triangle and the bottom sides of the diagram. Stick this firmly across the cease of the book. The tip of the triangle should correspond to the cease.

It should look like this!

Watershed the area of high land forming the edge of a river basin. Source where a river begins. Mouth where a river meets the sea. Confluence the point at which two rivers meet. Tributary a small river or stream that joins a larger river. Channel this is where the river flows. Drainage Basin this is the area of land drained by a river and its tributaries Give your diagram the title ‘River Basin’. Provide a date. Write neatly the numbers and corresponding definitions into your book.

Close your book!

Open your book! Badge off E-Bay!

Do you know your drainage basin?

Will the water get to the river faster or slower if… Factor…Faster or Slower? The land is very steep in the drainage basin It is a city and therefore a lot of the area is built up (roads, concrete etc) The rocks in the ground are impermeable (water cannot go through them) The rocks in the ground are permeable (water can go through them) It is a forest