Wiktionary
n. The runoff of surface water through a channel
Wikipedia
Streamflow, or channel runoff, is the flow of water in streams, rivers, and other channels, and is a major element of the water cycle. It is one component of the runoff of water from the land to waterbodies, the other component being surface runoff. Water flowing in channels comes from surface runoff from adjacent hillslopes, from groundwater flow out of the ground, and from water discharged from pipes. The discharge of water flowing in a channel is measured using stream gauges or can be estimated by the Manning equation. The record of flow over time is called a hydrograph. Flooding occurs when the volume of water exceeds the capacity of the channel.
Usage examples of "streamflow".
As Deneb moved through them, their key factors flooded her awareness: a streamflow of images and descriptive titles, faces that had been famous at some unknown place and time, strings of radio transmissions, colorful schematics, wisps of conversation, shouts of excitement, and of rage.