Quiz 14: Drainage Basins
Geology/Geography/Oceanography/Atmospheric Sciences
Q 1Q 1
Processes that are related expressly to streams and rivers are termed
A)fluvial.
B)geomorphic.
C)lentic.
D)lotic.
E)riverine.
Free
Multiple Choice
A
Q 2Q 2
The science of water and its global circulation,distribution,and properties is known as
A)geomorphology.
B)climatology.
C)lithology.
D)fluviology.
E)hydrology.
Free
Multiple Choice
E
Q 3Q 3
The general term for channelized water flow,regardless of size,is
A)river.
B)gully.
C)stream.
D)rill.
E)interfluve.
Free
Multiple Choice
C
Q 4Q 4
The area of land from which all water in it drains into the same place is known as a(n)
A)interfluve.
B)watershed.
C)drainage divide.
D)fluvial unit.
E)hydrologic unit.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 5Q 5
Watersheds are defined by
A)continental divides.
B)drainage divides.
C)stream orders.
D)fluvial units.
E)stream size and density.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 6Q 6
In stream formation,surface water initially moves down slope in a thin film called
A)river.
B)gully.
C)sheetflow.
D)rill.
E)interfluve.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 7Q 7
Overland flow can concentrate in small grooves called ,which can enlarge to form .
A)striations;potholes
B)potholes;striations
C)rills;gullies
D)gullies;rills
E)striations;gullies
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 8Q 8
The area of high ground that separates one valley from another and directs sheetflow is known as .
A)the maximum contour elevation
B)a drainage divide
C)an interfluve
D)the continental divide
E)rill
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 9Q 9
A drainage divide that separates drainage basins that empty into different bodies of water surrounding a continent is known as
A)a catchment.
B)a delta.
C)a continental divide.
D)an interfluve.
E)a rill.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 10Q 10
A basin in which water leaves via evapotranspiration or subsurface gravitational flow instead of reaching the ocean is said to have
A)disappearing streams.
B)hydraulic action.
C)base flow.
D)deranged patterns.
E)internal drainage.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 11Q 11
Drainage basins are
A)open systems.
B)closed systems.
C)equilibrium systems.
D)open systems in terms of energy,closed systems in terms of matter.
E)closed systems in terms of energy,open systems in terms of matter.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 12Q 12
Drainage density is determined by
A)dividing the number of streams in a basin by the basin area.
B)dividing the actual path length of a stream by the shortest path length of the stream.
C)averaging the discharge values across a drainage basin.
D)dividing the total length of all stream channels in the basin by the area of the basin.
E)averaging the channel depth of the streams in a drainage basin.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 13Q 13
What is the drainage density of a 100 mi2 drainage basin with 25 miles of stream,running through three rivers?
A)3
B)33.333
C)4 mi./mi.2
D)0.25 mi./mi.2
E)0.15 km/km2
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 14Q 14
Stream drainage patterns are determined by which of the following?
A)regional steepness and relief only
B)variations in rock resistance only
C)climate only
D)landscape characteristics only
E)climate,regional steepness and relief,landscape characteristics,and variations in rock resistance.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 15Q 15
This tree-like drainage pattern efficiently moves water and sediment through its system due to minimization of the total length of each branch.
A)dendritic
B)trellis
C)radial
D)deranged
E)rectangular
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 16Q 16
This drainage pattern is associated with steep slopes.
A)parallel
B)dendritic
C)trellis
D)deranged
E)radial
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 17Q 17
This drainage pattern results when streams flow off a central peak or dome.
A)annular
B)trellis
C)radial
D)rectangular
E)deranged
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 18Q 18
Rectangular drainage patterns form primarily as a result of
A)differential resistance to erosion.
B)topographic uplift.
C)flow through anticlinal and synclinal topography.
D)flow through a faulted and jointed landscape.
E)hard,resistant rock that prevents erosion.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 19Q 19
Faulted and jointed landscapes direct stream courses in patterns of right-angle turns forming this drainage pattern.
A)radial
B)rectangular
C)trellis
D)dendritic
E)deranged
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 20Q 20
This drainage pattern is characteristic of dipping or folded topography.
A)annular
B)trellis
C)radial
D)rectangular
E)dendritic
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 21Q 21
With no clear geometry and no true stream valley,this drainage pattern occurs in areas such as glaciated shield regions.
A)deranged
B)radial
C)parallel
D)dendritic
E)trellis
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 22Q 22
A drainage system that maintains its original course and pattern as it erodes into underlying horizontal beds of different structure than that in which the system evolved is called a(n)
A)deranged pattern.
B)discordant stream.
C)annular pattern.
D)yazoo stream.
E)superposed stream.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 23Q 23
Which of the following landforms is incorrectly matched with a drainage pattern?
A)volcano - radial
B)folded mountain belt - trellis
C)faulted and jointed - rectangular
D)glaciated - deranged
E)topographically disrupted areas - parallel
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 24Q 24
streams flow year-round,fed by snowmelt,rainfall,groundwater,or a combination thereof.
A)Perennial
B)Intermittent
C)Ephemeral
D)Permanent
E)Temporary
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 25Q 25
streams are not connected to groundwater systems and only flow after precipitation events.
A)Perennial
B)Intermittent
C)Ephemeral
D)Temporary
E)Exotic
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 26Q 26
streams have some groundwater input,but only flow for certain periods during a year.
A)Perennial
B)Intermittent
C)Ephemeral
D)Temporary
E)Exotic
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 27Q 27
A stream's volume of flow per unit of time is its
A)speed.
B)velocity.
C)discharge.
D)flow rate.
E)base load.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 28Q 28
As the discharge of a stream increases,which of the following also happens?
A)Stream channels narrow,become shallower,and lose velocity.
B)The rate of flow decreases.
C)Channel width increases but channel depth decreases.
D)Width,depth,and/or velocity increase.
E)Erosion and sediment transport are greatly reduced.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 29Q 29
Which of the following is used to measure streamflow?
A)current meter
B)barometer and sling psychrometer
C)statistical methods of probability
D)reservoirs
E)evaporimeters
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 30Q 30
The river with the greatest discharge is the
A)Ganges.
B)Mississippi.
C)Orinoco.
D)Yangtze.
E)Amazon.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 31Q 31
In a given section of channel,the greatest flow velocities are usually
A)near the surface,near the center.
B)along the shallowest portions of the stream.
C)along either bank.
D)near the bottom of the stream channel.
E)in areas with large obstacles,such as tree trunks and boulders.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 32Q 32
Turbulent flow is likely to be least in
A)channels with tree trunks and other obstacles.
B)shallow streams with boulders.
C)streams with high friction.
D)deep,lowland rivers.
E)along the rocky banks of a stream.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 33Q 33
In most river basins in humid regions,discharge is highest
A)upstream.
B)downstream.
C)midstream.
D)at the headwaters.
E)along tributaries.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 34Q 34
If a stream originates in a humid region,but subsequently flows through an arid region,discharge is likely highest
A)upstream.
B)downstream.
C)midstream.
D)at an estuary or confluence with another stream.
E)along tributaries.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 35Q 35
streams begin in moist regions and flow downstream into arid landscapes with high evapotranspiration.
A)Perennial
B)Intermittent
C)Ephemeral
D)Temporary
E)Exotic
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 36Q 36
This graph,showing the effects of urbanization on streamflow over time,is an example of a
A)water budget.
B)hydrograph.
C)climograph.
D)hydrological cycle.
E)cladogram.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 37Q 37
Erosion performed by flowing water alone is known as
A)sheetflow.
B)saltation.
C)weathering.
D)abrasion.
E)hydraulic action.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 38Q 38
Hydraulic action is highest
A)near the surface in the middle of streams.
B)in areas with low discharge.
C)where flow is turbulent.
D)within deep and wide channels.
E)along slow moving currents.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 39Q 39
Erosion in which boulders and gravel moving along the channel break apart and as rocks and sediment grind and carve streambeds is known as
A)sheetflow.
B)saltation.
C)weathering.
D)abrasion.
E)hydraulic action.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 40Q 40
Which of the following lists of processes are in the correct sequence as to their occurrence in nature?
A)deposition,erosion,transport,weathering
B)weathering,erosion,deposition,transport
C)weathering,deposition,erosion,transport
D)weathering,erosion,transport,deposition
E)transport,deposition,erosion,weathering
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 41Q 41
Stream transport involves all of the following except
A)saltation.
B)bed load.
C)traction.
D)sheetflow.
E)suspended load.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 42Q 42
The sediment load that travels in solution is
A)bed load.
B)suspended load.
C)dissolved load.
D)flow load.
E)saltation.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 43Q 43
The main process contributing material in solution in sediment load is
A)physical weathering.
B)chemical weathering.
C)biological weathering.
D)erosion.
E)deposition.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 44Q 44
The sediment load consisting of fine-grained clastic particles held aloft in the stream is the
A)bed load.
B)suspended load.
C)dissolved load.
D)flow load.
E)saltation.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 45Q 45
The suspended load of a stream consists of particles that are
A)rolled along the stream bed.
B)held aloft in the stream flow.
C)dragged along the stream bed.
D)dissolved in solution.
E)bounced along the stream bed.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 46Q 46
The sediment load consisting of coarse material too large to remain in suspension,moving along the channel bottom via traction and saltation is the
A)bed load.
B)suspended load.
C)dissolved load.
D)flow load.
E)free load.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 47Q 47
Bed load is moved by
A)saltation only.
B)traction only.
C)suspension only.
D)saltation,traction,and suspension.
E)both saltation and traction,but not suspension.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 48Q 48
The total possible load a stream can transport is its ,whereas a stream's ability to move particles of specific size is its .
A)capacity;competence
B)competence;capacity
C)discharge;competence
D)bed load;sediment load
E)saltation;traction
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 49Q 49
If the load exceeds a stream's capacity,sediment accumulates in the bed in a process called
A)downcutting.
B)degradation.
C)aggradation.
D)saltation.
E)traction
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 50Q 50
The drop in stream elevation per unit distance is known as
A)discharge.
B)base level.
C)gradient.
D)aspect.
E)slope.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 51Q 51
A graphic depiction of a streams gradient from its headwaters to mouth is called a(n)
A)altimeter.
B)Keeling curve.
C)hydrograph.
D)climograph.
E)longitudinal profile.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 52Q 52
Which of the following is correct of the longitudinal profile of most rivers?
A)It always changes at a constant rate from the headwater region to the sea.
B)It is convex in shape.
C)It is concave in shape.
D)It is gentle upstream and steep downstream.
E)It is highest at the mouth and lowest at the headwaters.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 53Q 53
The process whereby streams lengthen their channels upstream is called
A)headwater erosion.
B)channel incision.
C)stream piracy.
D)saltation.
E)traction.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 54Q 54
Stream piracy refers to
A)the legal process by which a state secures rights to the waters of a river basin.
B)the merging of two streams flowing in the same valley.
C)capturing the headwater regions of another stream by an eroding rill in another system.
D)the illegal withdrawal of water from a river.
E)upstream erosion leading the to the lengthening of the channel.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 55Q 55
Base level refers to
A)the amount of discharge in a particular reach of a stream.
B)a level below which a stream cannot erode its valley.
C)an evolutionary cycle of landscape development from fluvial action.
D)the average height of a stream channel.
E)the stream gradient.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 56Q 56
The ultimate base level is
A)a drainage divide.
B)a dam.
C)sea level.
D)dependent on the geological substrate.
E)any hard,resistant rock in a channel.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 57Q 57
Which of the following may act as a local base level?
A)a lake that a river flows into
B)a drainage divide
C)the upper surface of a waterfall
D)an interfluve
E)the headwaters
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 58Q 58
A(n)stream is one in which the channel slope has adjusted so that stream velocity is just enough to transport the sediment load.
A)graded
B)ungraded
C)equilibrium
D)disequilibrium
E)channel
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 59Q 59
A(n)is a stream which maintains an equilibrium between the processes of erosion and deposition and,therefore degradation and aggradation.
A)graded stream
B)oxbow
C)anabranching river
D)meandering stream
E)rill
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 60Q 60
An interruption in a stream's graded profile of equilibrium is called a
A)gradation.
B)longitudinal interruption.
C)base level.
D)cutbank.
E)nickpoint.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 61Q 61
Entrenchment of a channel occurs because
A)a decrease in stream gradient occurs.
B)a change in the bed load size-distribution occurs.
C)the river flows from consolidated rock into a region composed of loose sediments.
D)rejuvenation occurs due to uplift.
E)isostatic downwarping of the crust occurs.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 62Q 62
The process whereby streams deepen their channel is known as
A)headwater erosion.
B)channel incision.
C)stream piracy.
D)saltation.
E)traction.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 63Q 63
A stream that downcuts at the same rate as tectonic uplift,thereby maintaining its course is called a(n)
A)meandering stream.
B)anabranching river.
C)antecedent stream.
D)rejuvenated river.
E)graded stream.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 64Q 64
Channels with gradual slopes often develop a sinuous form called a(n)pattern.
A)braided stream
B)anabranching
C)meandering stream
D)straight
E)exotic
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 65Q 65
Maximum velocity in a straight channel is found
A)near the bottom.
B)near the inside of a meander.
C)at the center and near the surface,corresponding with the deepest parts of the stream channel.
D)at the center and near the surface,corresponding with the shallowest parts of the stream channel.
E)near either of the river banks.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 66Q 66
Maximum velocity in a meandering stream is
A)near the bottom.
B)at the inner portion of the meander curve.
C)at the center and near the surface.
D)at the outer portion of the meander curve.
E)at the point bar.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 67Q 67
The portion of each meandering curve subject to the fastest water velocity undergoes the greatest erosive action.This action forms a steep
A)meander scar.
B)oxbow.
C)cutback.
D)point bar.
E)uppercut bank.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 68Q 68
The portion of each meandering curve subject to the slowest water velocity undergoes aggradation.This results in a(n)
A)meander scar.
B)oxbow.
C)cutback.
D)neck.
E)point bar.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 69Q 69
As they migrate,meandering streams erode their out outside banks,often forming a narrow neck of land that eventually erodes through and forms a and the stream becomes .
A)meander scar;narrower
B)cutoff;straighter
C)cutback;more sinuous
D)point bar;wider
E)neck;longer
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 70Q 70
A(n)is a meander that becomes isolated from the rest of the river.
A)oxbow lake
B)undercut bank
C)point bar
D)cutoff
E)cutbank
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 71Q 71
Which of the following is incorrectly matched?
A)cutbank - at outer portion of a stream meander
B)point bar - area of substantial erosion
C)aggradation - sediment accumulation in the stream channel
D)braided stream - maze of interconnected channels
E)undercut bank - area of erosion
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 72Q 72
is the general term for unconsolidated clay,silt,sand,gravel,and mineral fragments deposited by running water.
A)Alluvium
B)Deposition
C)Aggradation
D)Degradation
E)Fluvium
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 73Q 73
Coarser particles generally settle out _,while finer particles settle out .
A)closer to the mouth;closer to the headwaters
B)along cutbanks;at point bars
C)at point bars;along cutbanks
D)closer to the mouth;not at all
E)closer to the headwaters;closer to the mouth
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 74Q 74
A maze of interconnected channels formed on a river with a high sediment load is known as a(n)stream.
A)braided
B)anabranching
C)meandering
D)straight
E)exotic
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 75Q 75
Excess sediment may result in which of the following channel patterns?
A)V-shaped valleys
B)braided stream
C)meandering stream
D)straight,steep-walled channels
E)deeply entrenched U-shaped valleys
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 76Q 76
Which of the following is incorrect regarding floodplains?
A)They are formed by recurrent flooding in the area adjacent to the stream.
B)Natural levees on either side of a stream are formed during times when the stream is at flood stage and overflows the bank.
C)They are generally low-lying areas.
D)Residual deposits from abandoned channels often result in meander scars in floodplains.
E)They are characterized by rapids and low waterfalls.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 77Q 77
Natural levees are created during
A)floods.
B)normal flow conditions.
C)low flow conditions.
D)degradation.
E)erosional events.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 78Q 78
As a stream's velocity decreases,which of the following sizes of sediments will be deposited last?
A)gravel
B)sand
C)silt
D)loam
E)clay
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 79Q 79
A yazoo tributary stream cannot join with the main river in an area because
A)the yazoo flows in a different valley.
B)a small structural ridge separates the rivers.
C)a natural levee on the main river prevents joining.
D)a man-made flow control structure keeps the rivers separate.
E)a large topographic barrier,such as a mesa,separates them.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 80Q 80
The entrenchment of a river into its own floodplain can produce
A)backswamps.
B)alluvial terraces.
C)natural levees.
D)river deltas.
E)yazoo streams.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 81Q 81
Which of the following will favor stream terrace formation?
A)a large increase in sediment load
B)tectonic uplift of the headwaters
C)a rise in sea level
D)a decrease in rainfall
E)a decrease in flood frequency
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 82Q 82
When a river reaches a base level,its forward velocity rapidly decelerates as it enters a larger body of standing water and a (n)is formed.
A)estuary
B)alluvial terrace
C)delta
D)stream terrace
E)floodplain
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 83Q 83
Channels running through a delta divide into smaller courses that do not reconnect to the main channel.These are known as
A)estuaries.
B)alluvial terraces.
C)yazoos.
D)alluvium.
E)distributaries.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 84Q 84
The Horton River delta has an intricate maze of distributaries in an arc-shaped pattern.This is an example of a(n)_ delta.
A)estuarine
B)bird's-foot
C)alluvial
D)fluvial
E)arcuate
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 85Q 85
The Paraná River is in the process of filling in an enclosed body of water at the river's mouth.This is an example of a(n)delta.
A)estuarine
B)bird's-foot
C)alluvial
D)fluvial
E)arcuate
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 86Q 86
The Mississippi River delta has widely spaced distributary channels extending long distances into the Gulf of Mexico.This is an example of a(n)delta.
A)estuarine
B)bird's-foot
C)alluvial
D)fluvial
E)arcuate
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 87Q 87
The statistical rating of flood discharge is based on
A)historical records of discharge during precipitation events.
B)floodplain width.
C)average channel depth.
D)the rate of aggradation or degradation of a stream.
E)proximity to streams.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 88Q 88
If you live in an area that was flooded by the 100-year flood last year,you can conclude that
A)the next 100-year flood will occur in exactly 100 years.
B)the next 100-year flood will occur in exactly 99 years.
C)there is a 1% chance you could be flooded by the 100-year flood again this year.
D)you do not have to worry about another flood of that size during your lifetime.
E)the likelihood of another flood of this magnitude will increase in the following years.
Free
Multiple Choice
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 90Q 90
On average,floods cause about in damage annually.
A)$12 million
B)$100 million
C)$700 million
D)$950 million
E)$6 billion
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 91Q 91
Which of the following is not an example of humans impacting river systems?
A)dams altering river flow and sediment loads
B)urbanization altering run-off
C)deforestation altering sediment loads in streams
D)levee constructions affecting floodplain ecosystems
E)rivers and streams provide recreation to humans
Free
Multiple Choice
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Essay
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Essay
Q 94Q 94
Give the equation for stream discharge.What happens to stream velocity if discharge and depth remain the same,but width increases?
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Essay
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Q 96Q 96
Discuss the concept of the graded stream.Do most streams approximate a graded stream? Why or why not?
Free
Essay
Q 97Q 97
Describe the stages of development of an oxbow lake,from meander bend to cut off to oxbow lake,including the location of cut banks and point bars.
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Essay
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