Answer to Question 1
The amount of water that runs off rather than soaking into the ground depends on the intensity and duration of rainfall, the amount of water already in the soil, the nature of the surface material, the slope of the land, and the extent and type of vegetation. When the surface material is highly impermeable or when it becomes saturated, runoff is the dominant process.
Answer to Question 2
Channel gradient: when steeper, velocity is greater. Channel size, shape, and roughness influence the friction: greater friction means less velocity and more turbulence. A smooth channel allows more uniform flow. The discharge is the amount of water flowing in the channel, which is calculated by the velocity multiplied by the cross-sectional area.