Final answer:
An interconnected group of streams that collects water over a large area is called a drainage basin or watershed. It is an area where all the precipitation that falls feeds into a river system and includes contributions from surface runoff and groundwater seepage.
Step-by-step explanation:
An interconnected group of streams that collects water over a large area is called a drainage basin or a watershed. A drainage basin is the area of land in which runoff feeds into a stream, lake, or reservoir, and ultimately into the ocean. When heavy rain or snow melts, a significant quantity of water flows into rivers and streams via surface runoff and groundwater seepage.
The river discharge increases rapidly after heavy rainfall due to surface runoff. A stable normal river flow is primarily maintained by groundwater that discharges into the river. The Mississippi River drainage basin, for example, includes about 40% of the U.S., and it comprises smaller drainage basins like the Ohio River and Missouri River.
It is important to understand the entire watershed that provides water to our urban areas as it affects the quality and supply of drinking water we receive from surface sources like lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Watersheds play a crucial role in the ecosystem, contributing to the flow of rivers such as the Nile, Amazon, and Mississippi, which are some of the world's largest rivers.