total drainage area

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total drainage area" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to hydrology, environmental science, or civil engineering when discussing the area from which water drains into a particular point or body of water. Example: "The total drainage area of the river is crucial for understanding its flow and flood potential."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Its total drainage area is 55,620 square miles (144,060 square km).

Britannica

The lowlands of the river's delta account for only a tiny fraction of the total drainage area.

Britannica

Total drainage area is about 27,100 square miles (70,200 square km); average annual runoff is 22 million acre-feet (27 billion cubic metres).

Britannica

Because of the pattern of major mountain systems of the globe, a relatively small proportion (one-seventh) of the total continental drainage enters the Pacific a total drainage area of less than about three times the total area of Australia.

Britannica

In the SCM-Retrofit catchment, 52% of the directly connected impervious area (DCIA) and 69% of the total drainage area was retrofitted for potential hydrologic mitigation.

Journal of Hydrology

These ponds capture an estimated 21% of the total drainage area of the conterminous U.S., representing 25% of total sheet and rill erosion.

Geomorphology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Jaguaré Creek watershed corresponds to only 1/10 of the total 270 km2 drainage area of Pinheiros River, one of the two main watercourses crossing Greater São Paulo and that is channeled in all its 25Km length.

Procedia Engineering

Tracer-labelled drainage in 110 cm depth occurred in spring 2001 over about 71% and in autumn 2001 over 35% of the total cross-sectional drainage area, respectively.

Journal of Hydrology

Total area of glaciers in the 229-km2 drareage area has decreased by 20%.

Geomorphology

All the extracted parameters from SRTM and Survey of India topographical sheets, like the number and lengths of streams of each different order, drainage area, basin perimeter and total basin length, and width were calculated using ARC GIS software; drainage density, drainage frequency, shape, form factor, circulatory ratio, and elongation ratio, were calculated from these parameters.

Applied Water Science

Hillslope length is directly related to drainage density (Bogaart and Troch, 2006), which measures the degree of dissection of the hillslope calculated as the total length of the channel network divided by the drainage area (Tucker and Bras, 1998).

Ecological Processes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a river or lake, always specify the "total drainage area" in consistent units (square miles or square kilometers) to ensure clarity.

Common error

Don't confuse "total drainage area" with impervious area. The former is the entire region contributing water to a point, while the latter refers to surfaces that prevent water infiltration within that area.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total drainage area" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific geographical measurement and is often used as a subject or object in sentences relating to hydrological or geographical descriptions. Ludwig AI shows this phrase is considered correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

65%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "total drainage area" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term in scientific and geographic contexts, referring to the entire surface area from which a body of water receives its drainage. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct for written English. It's particularly prevalent in scientific literature and encyclopedic entries. When employing this phrase, ensure consistent units and avoid confusion with related concepts such as impervious area. Alternatives include "catchment area" or "drainage basin", though they carry slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drainage basin

Similar to "total drainage area" but emphasizes the basin-like shape of the land.

area of the drainage system

A more descriptive way to refer to the same concept.

watershed area

Focuses on the divide separating drainage areas, implying a boundary.

catchment area

Refers more broadly to the area from which rainfall flows into a river, lake, or reservoir; less specific about total measurement.

river basin area

Specifically relates to the area drained by a river system.

areal extent of drainage

Emphasizes the spatial size of the drainage.

geographical extent of drainage

Emphasizes the geographical aspect and size of the area.

basin's area

A shortened possessive form focusing on the area belonging to a specific basin.

zone of drainage

Highlights the spatial region from which water drains.

water collection area

Focuses on the area's function in collecting water.

FAQs

What does "total drainage area" mean in hydrology?

In hydrology, "total drainage area" refers to the entire surface area from which a stream, river, or lake receives its water. It includes all the land that contributes runoff to a specific point.

How is the "total drainage area" of a river basin measured?

The "total drainage area" is typically measured using topographic maps, satellite imagery, and GIS software. These tools help delineate the boundaries of the watershed and calculate its surface area.

What's the difference between "drainage basin" and "total drainage area"?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, "drainage basin" usually refers to the geographical area itself, whereas "total drainage area" specifies the measurement of that area.

Why is it important to know the "total drainage area" of a water body?

Knowing the "total drainage area" is crucial for water resource management, flood prediction, and understanding the ecological health of a river or lake. It helps estimate runoff volume and potential pollutant loads.