catchment
Meaning: The geographical area from which rainfall drains into a particular river, lake, or reservoir. In British public services, also the defined area from which a school, hospital, or other institution draws its users.
In hydrology, a catchment (also called a drainage basin or watershed) is a fundamental unit of landscape analysis. Catchment management is central to flood prevention and water quality regulation in England and Wales, overseen by the Environment Agency. In everyday British usage, 'catchment area' commonly refers to the zone from which a school or hospital accepts pupils or patients — a concept with significant implications for house prices and admissions. It collocates with 'area,' 'management,' 'flood,' 'river,' and 'school.'
Examples
- The Environment Agency published a catchment management plan for the River Severn to address flooding and pollution. 環境署发布了塞文河的集水区管理计划,以解决洪水和污染问题。La Agencia de Medio Ambiente publicó un plan de gestión de la cuenca del río Severn para abordar las inundaciones y la contaminación.環境庁はセヴァーン川の集水区管理計画を公表し、洪水と汚染への対策を示しました。환경청은 세번 강의 집수구역 관리 계획을 발표하여 홍수와 오염에 대한 대책을 제시했습니다.
- House prices rose sharply near the school after its catchment area was redrawn to include the new housing estate. 该学校的学区重新划定并纳入了新建住宅区后,附近房价大幅上涨。Los precios de la vivienda subieron bruscamente cerca del colegio después de que su zona de captación se redibujase para incluir la nueva urbanización.学区が再編されて新しい住宅団地が含まれるようになった後、学校付近の住宅価格が急騰しました。학구가 재편되어 신규 주택단지가 포함된 후 해당 학교 인근의 주택 가격이 급등했습니다.
- Heavy rainfall across the entire catchment caused the reservoir to reach capacity well ahead of the usual winter timeline. 整个集水区的强降雨导致水库远早于通常的冬季时间节点便达到了蓄水容量。Las fuertes lluvias en toda la cuenca hicieron que el embalse alcanzara su capacidad mucho antes del calendario habitual de invierno.集水区全体にわたる大雨により、貯水池は通常の冬季の時期よりはるかに早く満水に達しました。집수구역 전체에 걸친 폭우로 인해 저수지가 통상적인 겨울 시기보다 훨씬 일찍 만수 상태에 도달했습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From catch (Middle English cacchen, from Anglo-Norman cachier) with the suffix -ment. The geographical sense developed in the 19th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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