Question 1

A stream or river that flows all year is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A)  perennial 
B)  ephemeral 
C)  a tributary

Question 2

What is the discharge of the stream shown in the accompanying figure if the velocity is 2 meters per second?

Accepted Answer

A)  300 cubic meters per second 
B)  60 cubic meters per second 
C)  32 cubic meters per second 
D)  15 cubic meters per second 
E)  none of these

Question 3

What would happen if the amount of ice in this area increases?

Accepted Answer

A)  the land near the ice would rise 
B)  the area near the ice would experience isostatic rebound 
C)  the weight of the ice depresses the land, possibly causing river to change direction 
D)  none of these

Question 4

The force behind a river's flow is:

Accepted Answer

A)  gravity 
B)  its sediment load 
C)  the shape of the river bed 
D)  its velocity

Question 5

Construction of a dam results in:

Accepted Answer

A)  an increase in the total amount of water flowing downstream of the dam 
B)  increased erosion by clear water released from the dam 
C)  the dam releasing water that contains more sediment than carried by the river before the dam was constructed 
D)  increased erosion where the stream channel meets the reservoir

Question 6

Which of the following is the most common cause of river and stream flooding?

Accepted Answer

A)  the onset of cold weather 
B)  failure of levees 
C)  intense precipitation 
D)  overgrazing 
E)  global warming

Question 7

At which sites would this stream profile most likely be located?

Accepted Answer

A)  A and C 
B)  B and D 
C)  C and D 
D)  D and A

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT associated with many braided streams?

Accepted Answer

A)  an abundant supply of sediment 
B)  a broad sediment-covered plain 
C)  a range of sediment sizes, including sand and gravel 
D)  cutoff meanders

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a common site for deposition of sediment?

Accepted Answer

A)  point bar 
B)  distributary system 
C)  levee 
D)  cutbank 
E)  floodplain

Question 10

Comparing these two curves on this hydrograph, the solid curve could record:

Accepted Answer

A)  a shorter but more intense precipitation event 
B)  the response of the stream to urbanization 
C)  a more rapid spring snowmelt 
D)  all of these

Question 11

For the same discharge, which site is most likely to be flooded?

Accepted Answer

A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  C 
D)  D

Question 12

The size of clasts that a stream can carry is primarily controlled by:

Accepted Answer

A)  the water temperature 
B)  the dissolved and suspended load of a stream 
C)  how close the stream is to the ocean 
D)  the velocity and turbulence of the current 
E)  whether it is a permanent or ephemeral stream

Question 13

What can you conclude by comparing the left and right hydrographs, each of which depict the same amount of time.

Accepted Answer

A)  the left diagram has a higher peak discharge 
B)  the right diagram represents a quicker event, like a flash flood 
C)  neither graph shows a true flood 
D)  none of these

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT true about braided streams?

Accepted Answer

A)  these streams form where the sediment is plentiful and dominated by clay and silt 
B)  the amount of sediment is close to or exceeds the stream's capacity to carry it 
C)  more than one channel can carry water and sediment 
D)  they can have a fairly straight overall path or gentle curves

Question 15

Which of the following is true about the base level of a stream:

Accepted Answer

A)  Base level indicates the normal or base) flow level before flooding. 
B)  The flat top of a mountain is the ultimate base level for most streams. 
C)  A mountain is close to its base level if bedrock is close to the surface. 
D)  Most streams have lower gradient close to their base level. 
E)  Base level generally is near the steepest part of a stream's profile.

Question 16

Which of the following is true about a delta?

Accepted Answer

A)  A delta forms as channels merge and pile up sand. 
B)  A river keeps forming a delta in the exact same position along a coastline. 
C)  Deltas form some layers that are horizontal and form some that are inclined toward the ocean. 
D)  The total amount of sediment carried by the river increases from the start to the end of the delta system.

Question 17

Which of the following is true about the formation and migration of meanders?

Accepted Answer

A)  most floodplains do not preserve evidence of the former position of meanders 
B)  flow velocity is highest when water takes a shortcut around the inside of a bend 
C)  meanders migrate inward as sediment is deposited on the inside bend 
D)  migration of meanders back and forth can help form a floodplain 
E)  none of these

Question 18

Which of the following is a condition favoring deposition of sediment?

Accepted Answer

A)  an increase in water velocity 
B)  a decrease in gradient of the stream 
C)  an increase in turbulence of the water 
D)  an increase in the salt content of the water 
E)  a decrease in grain size as a clast breaks into two pieces

Question 19

Which of the following is properly called a flood?

Accepted Answer

A)  when a meander is cut off and forms a lake 
B)  when the entire bottom of the channel is covered with water 
C)  if water spreads out over the floodplain 
D)  when water is 1 meter below the top of the channel

Question 20

Which of the following graphs is typical for the profile of a river?

Accepted Answer