Stream Runoff Nodes and Their Derivation Based on DEM

This paper put forward the concept of "stream runoff node" firstly, which could be regarded as a critical development in recognizing and analyzing the hydrological and geographical characteristic of stream networks. The major characteristics of runoff nodes were investigated. Including how runoff nodes could effectively reflect drainages terrain and relief features, their dynamic variation and spatial distribution etc. Finally, a GIS based method of deriving runoff nodes from DEM were preliminarily discussed. 