Lesson 6.2 Vocabulary

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Weathering

Back

Any process that breaks down rock.

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Bed load

Back

Sediment that is carried by a stream along the bottom of its channel.

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Capacity

Back

The total amount of sediment a stream is able to transport.

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Delta

Back

An accumulation of sediment formed where a stream enters a lake or an ocean.

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Natural levee

Back

An elevated landform that parallels a stream and acts to confine its water, except during floodstage.

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Floodplain

Back

The flat, low-lying portion of a stream valley subject to periodic flooding.

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Flood

Back

Occurs when the discharge of a stream becomes so great that it exceeds the carrying capacity of its channel and overflows its banks.

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Drainage basin

Back

The land area that contributes water to a stream.

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Divide

Back

An imaginary line that separates the drainage of two streams; often found along a ridge.