Math Conversion Oceanography

Question

The drainage basin of the Delaware River encompasses about 35,500 km² (= 35 x 10⁹ m²). The average annual precipitation for the drainage area is about 44 inches/year (= ~1.1 m/yr) and the evaporation reaches 23 inches/year (= ~0.6 m/yr).

If we have a cross-section area of 300,000m2 near the bay bouth, what would be the average current speed through the bay mouth? (Units must be in m/s)

Thank you for the help, this problem is very difficult for me.

Answer 1

To solve the question you would multiple the river basin (35x10^9) times the amount of water added which would be precipitation minus evaporation ( 1.1 m/yr - 0.6 m/yr= 0.5m/yr). That would be the total water exiting the river each year. To determine the flow rate you would divide your results by the size of the mouth of the river (3x10^5 m^2). The answer is 35x10^9 * 0.5 / 3x10^5 = 5.833 m/yr Hope this helps!