GRADE 12 – GEOMORPHOLOGY

FLUVIAL PROCESSES – DRAINGAE

BASINS
 Tributary:
Drainage Basin: Rivers/stream
The area through which a River System:
joining the The mainstream with its
river system flow mainstream tributaries

Convergence:
The point where
stream/tributaries/
Catchment Area:
mainstream join
The area of land where
Interfluve:
water collects when it
The high lying area
rains
that separates
tributaries within a
drainage basin
form one another
Watershed:
The high lying area
that separates
drainage basins Source:
The original point Mouth:
from which a river The place where
flow the river enters the
sea/ocean
 Watershed Interfluve
Drainage
Basin

Mainstream

Tributaries

River
System

Source
 Surface run-off:
Confluence The flow of water on the earth surface.

Sheet flow:
The overland flow of
water taking the form of
thin, continuous layers
over relative smooth soil
or rock surfaces.

Channel flow:
The movement
of water within
the river
channel
Groundwater Water table
The water found under the The upper level of the
ground in cracks and groundwater in which the
spaces in soil, sand and soil or rock are
rock permamently saturated
with water
Infiltration
The process of water seeping into the soil
through the earth surface
How:
• Rainwater
• Melting snow
Rate of infiltration can be slow or fast
depending on:
• The intensity of the rainfall
• Covering op the soil e.g. vegetation
• Topography/Relief of the area
• Porosity of the soil
• Permeability of the soil (Geology of the
area – rock resistance)
• Initial condition of the soil humidity
 TYPICAL QUESTIONS
1.1 Refer to FIGURE 1.1 which shows fluvial
features and give ONE term for each of the
statements below:
1.1.1 Water that flows on the surface after it
rains
1.1.2 High-lying area that separates two
different drainage basins
1.1.3 Water found below the Earth's surface
1.1.4 Point where the river enters the sea
1.1.5 Shows the division between tributaries in
the same drainage basin (5)
(5 x 1)
1.1.1 Surface flow
1.1.2 Watershed divide

Adapted from Bitesize Geography

1.1.3 Ground water
1.1.4 River mouth
1.1.5 interfluve
 TYPICAL QUESTIONS
1.2 Refer to FIGURE 1.2 which shows a
drainage basin run-off system and
complete the statements below.
1.2.1 The process where water changes
into water vapour (A) is known as
…
1.2.2 The place where two or more
streams meet (B) in a drainage
basin is called a/an …
1.2.3 The area where a river originates
(C) is called its …
1.2.4 The process where water seeps
into the ground (D) is called …
1.2.5 A high-lying area (E) that
separates two streams in the same
drainage basin is called a/an … (5)
1.2. Evaporation 1.2.4 infiltration (5 x 1)
1
1.2.2 confluence 1.2.5 interfluve
1.2.3 source
TYPICAL QUESTIONS
1.3 Refer to FIGURE 1.3, illustrating a drainage area that
has been influenced by human activities.
1.3.1 Differentiate between surface run-off and
groundwater. (2)
(2 x 1)
1.3.2 Explain why evapo-transpiration is 20% less in
sketch B than in sketch A. (2)
(1 x 2)
1.3.3 What does the arrow at C in sketch A indicate?
(1)
(1 x 1)
1.3.4 Discuss the process mentioned in QUESTION
1.3.3. (2)
(1 x 2)
1.3.5 In a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines,
evaluate the impact that human activities had on
the water table. (8)
(4 x 2)
 TYPICAL RESPONSES
1.3.1 Run-off is water that flow on top of the earth surface, (1) and
groundwater are found in soil, sand and in-between rocks below the
earth surface(1) (2)
(2 x 1)
1.3.2 Due to the removal of vegetation and the covering of the earth surface
with concrete there is less evapo-transpiration(2) (2)
(1 x 2)
1.3.3 Infiltration (1) (1)
(1 x 1)
1.3.4 Water seeping into the soil through the earth surface. (2)
(1 x 2)
1.3.5 Deforestation increased the run-off due to less infiltration and the water
table drop (2)
Evapo-transpiration is less due to deforestation causing a decrease in
rainfall, therefor lowering the water table (2)
Construction of infrastructure like road and buildings increases surface
run-off with less infiltration, therefore the water table drop
Limited human activity leads to more infiltration and the water table is
usually higher (sketch A) (2)
The humidity of the soil is higher with less human interference
increasing the saturated area and therefore increasing the level of the
water table (2) (8)
 TYPES OF
RIVERS
The type of river depend on how the water table insects the river channel
Wet/Rain Dry Season
Infiltration Season Infiltration

Unsaturated area River

Water table River Unsaturated area channel

Water table

Ground water Ground water

Permanent/Perennial Periodic/Non-perennial rivers
rivers: These are river that only flow in the rainy
This type of rivers flow season. They flow every year for a short
throughout the year. period

FOUR TYPES OF
RIVERS
Episodic rivers
Exotic rivers
These rivers only flow after a heavy
An exotic river starts out from a humid region and flows into a dry
downpour of rainfall. The river channel can region. A river flowing through a desert can be
be dry for years considered exotic due to its existence in an otherwise arid region.
It stands out from the rest of the landscape
Areas where the type of rivers flow in South
Africa

Episodic Periodic
rivers rivers
ers
i v
n tr
ne
a
erm
P
Drainage Patterns – Characteristics and
Processes
What is a drainage pattern:
The pattern streams or rivers form in a particular drainage
basin
What is a causing the different pattern:
• The type of rock
• Rock resistance
• Topography (how steep or gentle is the area)
DRAINAGE PATTERNS – CHARACTERISTICS AND PROCESSES
Dendritic Pattern:
 The most common pattern
 Have a lot of tributaries from
different areas
 Resembles the branches of trees
 Tributaries and mainstream join at
acute angles
Underlying Rock structure
 Rock that are uniform and
homogeneous to erosion
 The areas are relatively flat
 Horizontally layered massive
igneous and sedimentary rocks
DRAINAGE PATTERNS
– CHARACTERISTICS
AND PROCESSES
Parallel Pattern
 Caused by steep slopes
 Streams are swift and straight
 Have very few tributaries
 All stream flow in the same
direction
 Tributaries follow the slope of the
surface
Underlying Rock structure
 Uniform sloping surfaces
 Found is steeply folded
mountains
DRAINAGE PATTERNS
– CHARACTERISTICS
AND PROCESSES
Trellis Pattern
 Tributaries feed from steep slopes
on the sides of mountains
 Tributaries enter the mainstream/-
river at approximately 90° angles
 Tributaries join from an Anticline in
folded mountains
 The mainstream flow in the
syncline
Underlying Rock structure
 Folded mountains with alternating
resistance to erosion
 Also found in inclined strata
 DRAINAGE PATTERNS
– CHARACTERISTICS
AND PROCESSES
Rectangular Pattern
 The rivers turn/bend at 90°
angles
 Tributaries also joins
approximately 90° angles
 The tributaries follow the joints
in hard resistant rocks
Underlying Rock structure
 Well jointed Massive igneous
rocks
 The area is usually flat
 DRAINAGE PATTERNS – CHARACTERISTICS AND PROCESSES

Radial Pattern Centripetal Pattern

When streams flow from or toward a central  Stream flow from a central low-
point lying point in different
Centrifugal Pattern directions
 Stream flow from a central high Underlying Rock structure
point in different directions
 Basins where lakes are found
Underlying Rock structure
 Volcano area TWO
TYPES
 Domes, laccoliths, conical hills
and buttes
DRAINAGE PATTERNS
– CHARACTERISTICS
AND PROCESSES
Deranged Pattern
 Small stream that follow an
irregular route
 No distinct pattern
 Topsoil has been scrapped by for
example glaciers, leaving the rock
bare
Underlying Rock structure
 Area that have been exposed to
glaciation
 Marshy depression
 DRAINAGE DENSITY
Drainage density refers to how well or how poorly a drainage basin is drained by stream channels
or rivers

Determining drainage
density
1. Total length of the streams and rivers in a drainage basin divide by the total area of the
drainage basin 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡h 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑠
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
2. Determine stream order
 DRAINAGE DENSITY

Factors that influence drainage density:

Drainage density is directly linked to the rate of infiltration
• A higher rate of infiltration leads to low drainage density
• A lower rate of infiltration leads to high drainage density

Factor Implication
1. Rock type More resistant rocks (harder) causes more
run-off than less resistant rocks (softer)
leading to a higher drainage density
2. Soil type Soils with higher porosity have a lower
drainage density that soil with low porosity
3. Vegetation Area with lush vegetation encourage more
infiltration than area without/less
vegetation
4. Amount of When the rainfall is a lot it cause higher
rainfall drainage density than areas of low rainfall
5. Type of rainfall Thunderstorm causes more run-off than soft
penetrating rainfall
6. Topography/ Steep slopes encourages more run-off than
Relief gentle/flat areas
 STREAM ORDER
Stream orders refer to the branching in a river system

Higher drainage density usually have a higher stream order than low drainage
density
Determining drainage
density Laws of stream orders:
1st order streams • Lower order streams are
/fingertip more than higher order
1 1
1 1 streams stream
1 1 2nd order • Steeper slopes/areas have
1 streams more 1 st
order streams
2 3 order
rd

2 • The higher the order the

1 2 streams
2 4th order bigger the drainage basin
3 streams
1 • The higher the order the
3
1 2 3 4 longer the streams
3 3
1 1
2 4
1
2
1 1
4
1
1
 1st order streams

2nd order
streams
3rd order
1 1 1
1 1 streams
1 2 1

2
2
2
2

3
 QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM PAST
1.1
QUESTION PAPERS
Study the drainage patterns in FIGURE 1.1. Indicate to which drainage pattern each of
the following descriptions refers. Write only the answer next to the question number
(1.1.1–1.1.8) in the ANSWER BOOK. You may use the same answer more than once.

1.1.1 Resembles the branches of a tree

1.1.2 Forms on rocks that have many joints and faults
1.1.3 The main stream has many 90º angles along its course
1.1.4 This pattern forms on rocks that have a uniform resistance to erosion
1.1.5 Streams flow away from a central point
1.1.6 The tributaries join the main stream at acute (small) angles
1.1.7 Only forms on massive igneous rocks
1.1.8 The tributaries join the main stream at a 90º angle (8)
(8 x 1)
QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM PAST
QUESTION
1.2
PAPERS
Refer to FIGURE 1.2 which illustrates common drainage patterns in South Africa.
Select a label from the sketch that best suits the descriptions below:

1.2.1 There is no distinctive pattern that flows to the rivers and lakes
1.2.2 Streams flow into a lowland lake or pan
1.2.3 Rivers that flow parallel or next to each other with few tributaries
1.2.4 Branching tree like pattern where tributaries join at acute angles
1.2.5 Streams radiate from a central highland
1.2.6 The mainstream flows in the syncline and tributaries join from the anticline
1.2.7 Streams have right angle bends along their course (7 x 1) (7)
QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM PAST
QUESTION
1.3 PAPERS
Refer to the drainage basin in FIGURE 1.3 and answer the questions that follow.

1.3.1 Name the drainage pattern shown in the diagram.

1.3.2 At which angle do the tributaries join the main stream?
1.3.3 State whether this drainage pattern is associated with a surface that has
a uniform or varied resistance to erosion.
1.3.4 Is the dominant process at A on the sketch erosion or deposition?
1.3.5 State the stream order at point A.
1.3.6 Is area B an interfluve or a watershed?
1.3.7 Is the discharge of the river greater at A or at C? (7)
(7 x 1)
QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM PAST
QUESTION
1.4
PAPERS
Refer to FIGURE 1.4 showing three different types of rivers and answer the
following questions.

1.4.1 Which river (A, B or C) is an episodic river?

1.4.2 Which river (A, B or C) is periodic?
1.4.3 Which river (A, B or C) is exotic in its lower course?
1.4.4 In which picture (A, B or C) is the river bed always below the water
table?
1.4.5 In which picture (A, B or C) does the groundwater never contribute to stream flow?
1.4.6 In which picture (A, B or C) does the river flow only during the rainy season?
1.4.7 In which picture (A, B or C) does the river flow only after heavy showers?
1.4.8 In which picture (A, B or C) does the river always intersect the water table? (8 x 1) (8)
QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM PAST
QUESTION
1.1.1 Dendritic (1) PAPERS 1.2.1 Deranged (1)
1.1.2 Rectangular (1) 1.2.2 Centripetal (1)
1.1.3 Rectangular (1) 1.2.3 Parallel (1)
1.1.4 Dendritic (1) 1.2.4 Dendritic (1)
1.1.5 Radial (1) 1.2.5 Radial (1)
1.1.6 Dendritic (1) 1.2.6 Trellis (1)
1.1.7 Radial (1) 1.2.7 Rectangular (1) (7 x (7)
1.1.8 Rectangular (1) (8 x (8) 1)
1)
1.3.1 Dendritic (1) 1.4.1 C (1)
1.3.2 Acute angles/Small 1.4.2 B (1)
angles/Mention any angle 1.4.3 C (1)
less than 90° (1) 1.4.4 A (1)
1.3.3 Uniform (1) 1.4.5 C (1)
1.3.4 Erosion (1) 1.4.6 B (1)
1.3.5 Stream Order 2 (1) 1.4.7 C (1)
1.3.6 Interfluve (1) 1.4.8 A (1) (8 (8)
1.3.7 C (1) (7 (7) x 1)
x 1)
QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM PAST
QUESTION
1.5 PAPERS
FIGURE 1.5 illustrates two drainage basins.

1.5.1 Define the term drainage basin. (1)

(1 x 1)
1.5.2 Define the term drainage density. (1)
(1 x 1)
1.5.3 Which drainage basin, X or Y, has a greater drainage density? (1 x 2) (2)
1.5.4 Give ONE reason for your answer to QUESTION 1.5.3. (2)
(1 x 2)
1.5.5 Discuss TWO factors that could result in a drainage basin having a high
drainage density. (4)
(2 x 2)
QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM PAST
QUESTION
1.5.1 PAPERS
The total area drained by a river and its tributaries (1)
[CONCEPT] (1)
(1 x 1)
1.5.2 Total length of all the streams in relation to the size of the drainage basin it drains (1)
(1)
[CONCEPT]
(1 x 1)
1.5.3 X (2) (2)
(1 x 2)
1.5.4 Many streams to cover the greater part of the drainage basin (2)
[CONCEPT] (2)
(1 x 2)
1.5.5 An increase in precipitation will increase the number of streams (2)
Saturated soil increases run-off, forming more streams (2)
Low permeability results in run-off and the development of streams (2)
Sparse vegetation increases run-off and more streams form (2)
Steep gradients increase run-off and more streams develop (2)
[Any TWO] (4)
(2 x 2)
1.5.6 Drainage density will increase (2)
More artificial surfaces and storm water drainage increase run-off outside urban
developments (2)
QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM PAST
QUESTION
1.6
PAPERS
FIGURE 1.6 illustrates a drainage basin.

1.6.1 Define the term drainage basin. (1)

(1 x 1)
1.6.2 Identify the drainage pattern assumed by the river system in this drainage basin.
(1)
(1 x
1)

1.6.3 Give ONE reason, visible in FIGURE 1.6, for your answer to QUESTION 1.6.2.
(1)
(1 x
1)

1.6.4 The drainage density of the river system seems to be denser (finer) at R than at S.
Explain why this is the case. (1)
(1 x 1)

1.6.5 Determine the stream order of the river system where it flows at X. (1 x (1)
1)
1.6.6 (a) At which point, R or S, would there be a greater risk of flooding? (1 x (1)
1)
QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM PAST QUESTION
PAPERS
1.6.1 The total area drained by the river and its tributaries (1)
(concept) (1)
(1 x 1)
1.6.2 Trellis P (1)
(1 x 1)
1.6.3 Tributaries join main river at right angles (1) (1)
(1 x 1)
1.6.4 At R there is less vegetation (1)
Area is steep (1)
Water is not easily absorbed (1)
More run-off occurs (1)
Therefore more tributaries (1)
At S there is more vegetation (1)
Water is easily absorbed (1)
Less run-off occurs (1)
Therefore fewer tributaries (1)
(Any ONE) (1)
(1 x 1)

1.6.5 3rd order (1) (1)

(1 x 1)
1.6.6 (a) S (1) (1)
(1 x 1)
(b) Gentle slope slows flow of water down (1)
Flows on a wide flood plain and water spread easily (1)
More water from tributaries increases volume of water (1)
Deposition makes stream channel shallower (1)
(Any ONE) (1)
(1 x 1)

1.6.7 Underlying rock structure

The trellis pattern occur in folded mountains with alternating resistance to erosion (2)
The rectangular pattern develop on horizontally layered well jointed igneous rocks (2)
 QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM PAST QUESTION
1.7 PAPERS
Refer to FIGURE 1.7 and answer the questions that follow. Photograph A shows an episodic river in the north-
western part of South Africa. Photograph B shows a permanent river in the same area.

1.7.1 (a) What is an episodic river? (1)

(b) (1 x 1)
Give evidence from the photograph to support your answer to QUESTION 1.5.1(a). (1)
(c)
(1 x 1) (4)
1.7.2 (a) State TWO physical factors that will influence the discharge (stream flow) of this river. (2)
(b) (4)
(c) (2
x 2) (2)
What do you call a permanent river that flows through dry areas?
(1 x 2)
 QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM PAST QUESTION
PAPERS(a)
1.7.1 A river that only flows after heavy rainfall, short duration (1) [Concept] (1)
(1 x 1)
(b) Many rocks and boulders visible in the river course (1)
Dry river bed (1)
[ANY ONE] (1)
(1 x 1)
(c) Regularity of rainfall/droughts (2)
Amount of rainfall (2)
Soil type over which the streams flow (2)
Underlying rock structure (2)
Rate of evaporation (2)
Vegetation density in catchment area (2)
The speed/velocity at which the water flows (2)
The volume of flowing water/floods (2)
The manner in which the water flows (2)
Infiltration rate (2)
Soil water content (2)
Gradient (2)
[ANY TWO] (4)
(2 x 2)

1.7.2 (a) Exotic river (2) (2)

(1 x 2)
(b) Gains water in much wetter areas - Drakensberg Mountains (2)
Stream flow volume exceeds infiltration rate (2)
Fed by tributaries in high rainfall areas (2)
Reliable ground water close to the source (2)
Construction of dams to regulate the flow of water (2)
[ANY TWO]
(2 x 2)
(c) Regular water supply (2)
Irrigation (2)
Stock farming (2)
[ANY ONE]