Influences on hydrographs

How do you drainage basin characteristics influence the shape of a hydrograph?

There are 4 main characteristics:

- Size of drainage basin

- Shape of drainage basin

- Slope angle of drainage basins

- Drainage density

Size of drainage basin

Large Basins have:

- High peak discharge because they catch more precipitation

- Long lag times because water takes longer to reach the rivers

Shape of drainage basin

Circular drainage basin:

- Rivers will have a fairly steep rising limb & a high peak discharge because all points in the drainage basin are equal…