The storm hydrograph
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the characteristics and factors affecting the shape of a storm hydrograph.
Key learning points
- The storm hydrograph shows the relationship between precipitation and discharge.
- Physical and human factors affect the shape of the storm hydrograph.
Keywords
Discharge - the volume of water flowing through a river channel at any given time, measured in cumecs
Infiltration - the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil
Lag time - the time between the peak rainfall and the peak discharge
Drainage density - a measure of how many rivers and streams there are within a given area. A high drainage density indicates many streams and rivers in the given area
Common misconception
A storm hydrograph shows rainfall.
A storm hydrograph shows river discharge changes over time, not just rainfall.
Teacher tip
This provides an opportunity to look at drainage basins on OS maps. Pupils can identify human and physical characteristics and decide on the shape of hydrograph that would be likely following intense rainfall.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the source of a river?
Q2.What is the mouth of a river?
Q3.What is the main process that shapes river valleys?
Q4.In which part of a river is deposition most likely to occur?
Q5.What is river discharge?
Q6.Which of these are ways a river transports sediment?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the lesson's keywords and their definitions.
the volume of water flowing through a river channel at any given time
the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil
the time between the peak rainfall and the peak discharge
a measure of how many rivers and streams there are within a given area
Q2.What does a storm hydrograph show?
Q3.What is peak discharge on a storm hydrograph?
Q4.What does a steep rising limb on a hydrograph indicate?
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: The storm hydrograph, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: The storm hydrograph, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 geography lessons from the River landscapes unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.