Question

in a typical streams where the gradient is steep the discharge is what ?

Answer 1

Increased .

As the amount of water in a stream increases, the stream must adjust its velocity and cross sectional area in order to form a balance. Discharge increases as more water is added through rainfall, tributary streams, or from groundwater seeping into the stream. As discharge increases, generally width, depth, and velocity of the stream also increase.

source http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/geol111/streams.htm