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Chapter 9.2 Stream Development. Moving Water Carves A Path. For streams to form there must be a large source of water. In Temperate areas there is precipitation that occurs on a regular basis. Headwaters: Where water accumulates to supply a stream.
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Moving Water Carves A Path • For streams to form there must be a large source of water. • In Temperate areas there is precipitation that occurs on a regular basis. • Headwaters: Where water accumulates to supply a stream. • Stream channel: Narrow pathway carved into sediment or rock by the movement of surface water. • Channels widen with more water • Stream bank: Ground bordering each side of a stream that keeps moving water confined. • Headward erosion: When small streams erode away the rock or soil at the head of a stream.
Formation of Stream Valleys • The stream erodes a path into the rock creating a v-shaped channel. • V-shaped channels can become canyons or gorges • The stream keeps eroding until it gets to base level, which enters another body of water. • The lowest base level is sea level. • The V-shaped channel later erodes into a broad valley with gentle slopes.
Mending Streams • As a stream channel starts to get wider and get more of a U-shape it is able to hold more water and sediments. • The water in the stream usually erodes the sides of the channel so that it becomes wider. • Mender: Curve or bend in a stream • The center of the stream flows much quicker them at the sides of the stream, because the sides of the stream are effected by friction. • The area of a stream that leads to an ocean or a large body of water is called a mouth.
Deposition of Sediment • When streams lose velocity, they lose ability to carry sediment. • This is due to alluvial fans, which are sloping depositional features formed at the bases of slopes and mainly composed of sand and gravel. • This is also due to deltas – silt and clay particles that form triangular deposits when a stream enters a large body of quiet water.
Rejuvenation • Rejuvenation: The stream actively resumes the process of downcutting towards its base level. • Rejuvenation causes the stream to flow much more quickly. • ^ causes streams to form into a V-shape. • If rejuvenation occurs where menders are , they form deep sided canyons.