Water Cycle and Surface Water Movement

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Questions and Answers

What primarily determines a stream's carrying capacity?

The complexity of the streambed

The frequency of flood events

The volume of sediment in the stream

The velocity and amount of water moving in the stream (correct)

What is stream discharge a product of?

Amount of sediment transported

Length of the stream

Average width, average depth, and velocity of the water (correct)

Total rainfall in the watershed

What defines a floodplain?

The area of land that stays dry during dry seasons

The elevated area where rivers originate

The underground water table that feeds the stream

The area that expands from a stream’s banks covered by excess water during flooding (correct)

What occurs when rivers overflow their banks during a flood?

Sediment is deposited along the edges of the river Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when a river is at flood stage?

The water level is higher than the stream’s banks Signup and view all the answers

What is an upstream flood?

A flood that occurs in a small area Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT related to stream discharge?

Land vegetation type Signup and view all the answers

How do natural levees form?

From sediment accumulation during floods Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the water cycle?

To facilitate the natural circulation of water through Earth's systems Signup and view all the answers

Which process describes water flowing downslope along Earth's surface?

Runoff Signup and view all the answers

What defines the watershed of the Mississippi River?

It includes multiple stream systems. Signup and view all the answers

How does soil composition affect water movement?

It affects the water-holding capacity and infiltration ability Signup and view all the answers

What role do soil surface pores play in water movement?

They facilitate water infiltration Signup and view all the answers

What marks the western boundary of the watershed of the Mississippi River?

The Continental Divide Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of water infiltrating the ground?

Groundwater recharge Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a way that stream load is carried?

By wind Signup and view all the answers

What determines whether water on Earth's surface becomes runoff or infiltrates the ground?

The physical and chemical composition of the soil Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'bed load' refer to in a stream?

Sand, pebbles, and cobbles rolled or pushed along the stream bed Signup and view all the answers

What is one way the water cycle contributes to weather patterns?

By affecting precipitation distribution Signup and view all the answers

Which method transports particles small enough to be held up by stream turbulence?

Suspension Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes runoff?

It can lead to erosion of soil and materials Signup and view all the answers

What happens to minerals in rocks when water runs over them?

They dissolve and are carried away in solution. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of stream load consists mainly of finer particles suspended in water?

Suspended load Signup and view all the answers

In stream systems, dissolved minerals are primarily found in which type of load?

Materials in solution Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the rate of precipitation exceeds the rate of infiltration?

Water becomes runoff Signup and view all the answers

How does vegetation affect surface water runoff?

It can slow the rate of runoff Signup and view all the answers

What is a tributary?

A river that flows into another stream Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a watershed?

All land area draining into a stream system Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the steepness of a slope have on water flow?

The steeper the slope, the faster the water flows Signup and view all the answers

What type of water movement occurs when precipitation happens in thin sheets?

Collection in small channels Signup and view all the answers

What is a divide in hydrology?

An elevated land area separating watersheds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is primarily affected by vegetation in terms of surface water?

Rate of surface runoff Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Surface Water Movement

Surface water, also known as runoff, flows downhill.
Several factors influence whether water on the surface infiltrates the ground or becomes runoff.
Soil composition affects water-holding capacity.
Open pores in soil allow water infiltration.
Particle size determines pore space.
The rate of precipitation affects runoff.
If precipitation rate exceeds infiltration rate, water runs off.
Vegetation slows runoff.

The Water Cycle

The water cycle is a continuous process of water movement.
Water molecules evaporate, condense, fall as precipitation, and infiltrate.
The hydrologic cycle circulates water through Earth's systems.
Processes include condensation, transpiration, evaporation, precipitation, and percolation.

Stream Systems

Rivers that flow into other streams are called tributaries.
A watershed is the land area draining into a stream system.
A divide is the elevated land separating watersheds.

Stream Load

Stream load is material carried by a stream.
This is transported in three ways: suspension, bed load, and solution.

Floods

A flood occurs when water spills over stream banks.
The area affected is a floodplain.
Floodwater deposits sediment, forming natural levees over time.
Flood monitoring and warning systems are crucial to prevent flooding.

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Description

Explore the fascinating processes of surface water movement and the water cycle in this quiz. Understand concepts such as runoff, infiltration, and stream systems while learning about factors that influence these processes. Test your knowledge on how water circulates through Earth's systems and the impact of vegetation on runoff.