Geography 104: Chapter 16 Concept Check

What process is responsible for the formation of deltas? Option A: an increase in stream slope near the "mouth" (i.e., near the coast) Option B: very strong offshore currents help sweep freshwater into the ocean Option C: a decrease in the stream's velocity as the flow goes into an unconfined ocean Option D: a decrease in the amount of suspended sediments in the stream

a decrease in the stream's velocity as the flow goes into an unconfined ocean

The landscape feature that forms at the mouth of a river is called ___________. Option A: a point bar Option B: a delta Option C: colluvium Option D: an alluvial fan

a delta

Which of the following are possible ways to classify drainage networks? I) by calculating the drainage density of a watershed II) by hierarchically ordering streams based on their size III) by analyzing the spatial organization of streams IV) by calculating the total area of a watershed

by calculating the drainage density of a watershed, by hierarchically ordering streams based on their size, by analyzing the spatial organization of streams, and by calculating the total area of a watershed

What is the most efficient way to determine the power of water in a river? Option A: by measuring the discharge of the river Option B: by measuring the depth of the river Option C: by measuring the width of the river Option D: by measuring the speed of the river

by measuring the discharge of the river

What term describes the joining of one stream with another? Option A: tributary Option B: confluence Option C: watershed Option D: interfluve

confluence

What would be the appropriate order of magnitude, largest to smallest, for the following drainage terms? Option A: drainage basin; continental divide; trunk stream; tributary Option B: trunk stream; tributary; continental divide; drainage basin Option C: continental divide; drainage basin; trunk stream; tributary Option D: tributary; trunk stream; drainage basin; continental divide

continental divide; drainage basin; trunk stream; tributary

What type of drainage pattern exhibits a tree-like pattern? Option A: rectangular Option B: radial Option C: dendritic Option D: trellis

dendritic

In a stream hydrograph, what are the two variables being plotted? Option A: velocity versus discharge Option B: discharge versus time Option C: stream length versus stream width Option D: velocity versus time

discharge versus time

Of the material carried by a river, which is the easiest to move? Option A: saltation load Option B: bedload Option C: suspended load Option D: dissolved load

dissolved load

What term describes the small topographic high points that separate tributaries? Option A: drainage divide Option B: trunk stream Option C: confluence Option D: interfluve

interfluve

What is true about stream discharge? Option A: It varies throughout the year. Option B: Its highest level is its base flow. Option C: It only adds to groundwater. Option D: It is not affected by drought.

it varies throughout the year

Niagara Falls is an example of a(n)__________. Option A: fall line Option B: knickpoint Option C: ephemeral stream Option D: meander

knickpoint

Where is deposition most efficient in a meandering stream? Option A: on the outside of the curve Option B: in the straight portion of the channel Option C: on the inside of the curve Option D: in the thalweg, or main flow line

on the inside of the curve

What is the reason for urbanization's dramatic increase in peak stream discharge following a heavy storm? Option A: Urban storm drains help to redirect drainage. Option B: Urban areas are designed to create flash floods. Option C: Rainwater is not absorbed into the soil first. Option D: Rainwater gets absorbed by paved parking lots.

rainwater is not absorbed into the soil first

What type of drainage pattern is influenced by rock joints and faulting at right angles? Option A: dendritic Option B: radial Option C: rectangular Option D: trellis

rectangular

What is the correct order, from least developed to most developed, of fluvial erosional landforms? Option A: gullies; rills; ravines; canyons Option B: gullies; ravines; rills; canyons Option C: rills; ravines; gullies; canyons Option D: rills; gullies; ravines; canyons

rills; gullies; ravines; canyons

If two streams of different orders merge, what is the new stream's order? Option A: the order of the lower stream Option B: one order higher Option C: one order lower Option D: the order of the higher stream

the order of the higher stream

What will happen if base level drops or tectonic uplift occurs? Option A: The stream gradient increases and the stream is unlikely to downcut any further. Option B: The stream gradient increases and the stream can have renewed downcutting. Option C: The stream gradient decreases and the stream can have renewed downcutting. Option D: The stream gradient decreases and the stream is unlikely to downcut any further.

the stream gradient increases and the stream can have renewed downcutting

Rivers ultimately flow _________.? Option A: below sea level Option B: to a base level Option C: to a termination point Option D: to a graded stream level

to a base level

In areas where the rocks are folded, thereby causing streams to flow parallel to one another in adjacent valleys, what type of drainage pattern is expected? Option A: rectangular Option B: radial Option C: trellis Option D: dendritic

trellis

What term describes the largest stream in a drainage basin? Option A: trunk stream Option B: ephemeral stream Option C: watershed Option D: perennial stream

trunk stream

Which of the following are true about the nesting relationship within drainage basins? Option A: Drainage basins only contain one watershed each. Option B: Drainage basins connect with one another at confluences. Option C: Drainage basins include only one trunk stream. Option D: A drainage basin's truck stream has only one tributary.

Drainage basins connect with one another at confluences

What is the main difference between a drainage basin and a drainage divide? Option A: A drainage basin is an area of a trunk stream, where a drainage divide is an area of a tributary. Option B: A drainage basin is the area of a watershed, where a drainage divide separates watersheds. Option C: A drainage basin is an area of confluence, where a drainage divide is an area of divergence. Option D: A drainage basin is the lowland area of a watershed, where a drainage divide is the highland.

a drainage basin is the area of a watershed, where a drainage divide separates watersheds

An oxbow lake may form when _____________. Option A: additional water from below base level is available to the stream Option B: a dam is built, thereby holding surface water behind it Option C: a meander becomes cut off from the rest of the stream channel Option D: aggradation cuts off part of a stream from the rest of a stream

a meander becomes cut off from the rest of the stream channel

What type of stream winds back and forth across a river valley? Option A: a meandering stream Option B: a graded stream Option C: a braided stream Option D: a fluvial stream

a meandering stream

Which of the following best describes the pattern associated with a rectangular drainage pattern? Option A: a pattern that evolves in areas of uniform rock resistance, with little distortion by folding or faulting Option B: a pattern that occurs when joints and faults steer streams at right angles to one another Option C: a pattern that develops in areas where rocks are folded and streams flow in parallel valleys Option D: a pattern that takes shape from a rounded upland, which streams flow outward from a central point

a pattern that occurs when joins and faults steer streams at right angles to one another

What type of river/stream are the Mississippi River, the Colorado River, and the Missouri River? Option A: a featured river Option B: a source river Option C: a perennial stream Option D: an ephemeral stream

a perennial stream

What is a "graded" stream? Option A: a stream where there is a buildup of heavier sediments in the bed Option B: a stream has just enough energy, not extra nor deficit, to transport its load Option C: a stream where "braiding" has occurred within the channel Option D: a stream has excess energy and uses it to erode the bed of its channel

a stream has just enough energy, not extra nor deficit, to transport its load

What is the name of the feature that is left behind after a stream detaches a curve from the meander? Option A: an oxbow lake Option B: a pointbar Option C: a cutoff Option D: a meander scar

an oxbow lake

What are possible sources for stream water? I) glacial meltwater II) groundwater III) lake outlets IV) ocean runoff

glacial meltwater, groundwater, and lake outlets

What important force helps determine the movement of stream water? Option A: gravity Option B: wind Option C: friction Option D: hydraulic

gravity

What is the highest percentage of the transported load in a meandering stream? Option A: suspended load Option B: bed load Option C: dissolved load Option D: sliding load

suspended load

What is the major barrier in the United States that separates the flow of water in rivers from the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean? Option A: the Continental Peak Option B: the Continental Divide Option C: the Central Barrier Option D: the North American Boundary

the Continental Divide

What measured variable in stream flow tells how fast the water is moving in the channel? Option A: discharge Option B: channel width Option C: slope Option D: velocity

velocity

What are measurable variables of stream flow? I) length II) velocity III) slope IV) discharge

velocity, slope, and discharge

Which of the following is not an important source of water for streams? Option A: surface runoff from saturated soil and pore spaces that flow overland. Option B: water that seeps out of the ground where stream channels intersect the water table. Option C: water from rainfall that pools into a lake and overflows. Option D: water flowing from the ocean onto the land.

water flowing from the ocean onto the land