Which term describes the area from which a river collects its water?

Which term describes the area from which a river collects its water?

• A. Climate
• B. Catchment Area
• C. Atmosphere
• D. Deforestation

Answer: (B)

Think of the area from which a river collects its water as the catchment area. This is the drainage basin or watershed. All precipitation falling inside this boundary, plus water from streams and groundwater within it, eventually flows into the river. The boundary is set by the surrounding high ground that directs runoff into this river rather than into others. So the catchment area is the region feeding the river. By contrast, climate refers to long-term weather patterns, the atmosphere is the layer of air around Earth, and deforestation is the removal of forests, none of which define the river’s drainage area.

Think of the area from which a river collects its water as the catchment area. This is the drainage basin or watershed. All precipitation falling inside this boundary, plus water from streams and groundwater within it, eventually flows into the river. The boundary is set by the surrounding high ground that directs runoff into this river rather than into others. So the catchment area is the region feeding the river. By contrast, climate refers to long-term weather patterns, the atmosphere is the layer of air around Earth, and deforestation is the removal of forests, none of which define the river’s drainage area.