Question

Now suppose a stream has a high volume but a low gradient. How might the

stream change the land? Provide your reasoning.

Answer 1

A river or stream with a high volume but low gradient will change the land by depositing sediment and causing water to be less clear and warmer. The lower gradient allows for the settling of sediment and the increased volume brings suspended silt and phytoplankton. The absence of tree cover and longer exposure to sunlight result in warmer water temperatures.

Step-by-step explanation:

As a river or stream flows away from its source, the width of the channel gradually widens and the current slows down. This slower-moving water, caused by the decrease in gradient and increase in volume, allows for more sedimentation to occur. The increased volume of the water from tributaries joining the main stream brings more sediment along, and as the flow rate slows, the sediment settles and is deposited along the stream and its banks. The water in the stream will not be as clear as it is near the source because of the suspended silt and phytoplankton. Additionally, the water is warmer due to longer exposure to sunlight and the absence of tree cover, which allows organisms like worms, insects, and waterfowl to thrive in these environments.

Answer 2

It will slowly transform the land and carve itself through rock or soil. Low gradient indicates a more nearly leveled stream bed and sluggishly moving water. High volume indicates a lot of water. So put both factors together and you get the first sentence.