Exam 13: Running Water

Why is a bird- foot delta like that of the present- day Mississippi below New Orleans likely to change naturally toward one with the shape of an equilateral triangle like the upper- case, Greek letter delta (A)?

_________is the quantity of water flowing past a certain stream cross section per unit time.

Which one of the following best describes how urbanization affects small- stream watersheds?

Which one of the following statements is correct?

Briefly compare those stream characteristics that decrease in a downstream direction with those that increase downstream. Also, indicate whether or not these changing stream characteristics tend to favor erosion or deposition of sediments.

_________is not part of the hydrologic cycle.

Entrenched meanders are evidence for what sequence of geologic events?

How does urbanization (paving, etc.)affect runoff and infiltration in a small, previously forested, drainage basin?

Where is erosion concentrated along a meandering stream?

What stream characteristic is measured by the size of the largest particle that a stream can move?

The lowest elevation limiting stream erosion is called _________.

In the absence of cutoff, how does a river meander loop behave over time?

A city located on a large river has a history of moderate flooding over its 150- year history. However, the severity and magnitude of flooding has increased dramatically in the past 30 years. Give some possible reasons, both natural and human- induced, as to why such increased flooding might occur. What flood control techniques may be used to reduce flood damage, and how may they contribute to other problems?

Which of the following features characterize wide streams and valleys?

What is the drop in water surface elevation divided by the distance the water flows?

_________is the total quantity of sediment carried by a river.

The _________describes the movement of water through Earth's hydrosphere.

Which of the following must result in a lower base level for rivers and streams?

_________is the release of water vapor to the atmosphere by plants.

Which of the following is the only correct response concerning the location and causes of the extraordinarily severe, 1993, flooding on the Mississippi River and tributaries?