Variations in River Discharge

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Variations in River Discharge

River Regime

This is the annual pattern of a river's discharge in response to the region's climate. The average regime is represented by the average daily/ monthly figures. These figures are mainly determined by the climate e.g. the amount/ distribution of rainfall, plus the rates of evaporation and snowmelt.

Variations in River Discharge

These variations are very important, as they influence the river's energy and landforms.

Factors affecting river discharge may produce the following:

Temporal variations (changes over time):

* Short term fluctuations in discharge e.g. increased discharge following heavy rain or snow melt.

* Medium-term variations e.g. seasonal variations such as less discharge when interception is higher in a deciduous forest in summer.

* Long term changes in discharge e.g. as a result of climate change or a change in land use.

Spatial variations (changes from place to place):

* Rivers in different geographical locations have different patterns of discharge. The discharge is affected by the climate of the region and many other factors.

Temporal Variations

Rivers have seasonal fluctuations in their discharge. They are mist pronounced in climates with a wet