What refers to the flow of water within a channel, with definable channel banks?

The term that describes the flow of water specifically within a channel that has defined banks is stream flow. Stream flow refers to the movement of water within streams and rivers, where the water is contained by the channel banks, allowing it to flow in a controlled path. This flow is influenced by various factors, including the slope of the terrain, rainfall, and the physical characteristics of the stream bed.

Surface runoff, on the other hand, is the water that flows over the ground surface, usually during or after precipitation, and is not confined to a channel. Subsurface flow occurs beneath the surface of the soil, as water moves through soil and rock layers towards bodies of water. Hydraulic action refers to the processes involving the movement of water that can erode and shape the landscape but does not specifically address water flow within defined channel banks.