River Systems & Landforms Chapter Quiz

Water in rivers acts to erode and deposit sediment but does not weather rock.

False

In the U.S., the greatest discharge from rivers east of the continental divide in the Rockies is into the

Gulf/Atlantic drainage

The figure above shows the confluence of perennial streams A and B to form stream C. (That means the water moves down A and B into C.) Which of the following statements must be true (i.e., not just "could be true")?

Stream discharge in C is greater than in A or B

Floodpains

T-hey generally form low-lying areas. -Natural levees on either side of a stream are formed during times when the stream is at flood stage and overflows the bank. -They are formed by recurrent flooding episodes in the area surrounding the stream.

Which of the following is false regarding floodplains?

They are characterized by rapids and low waterfalls.

Sediment load increases as flow discharge increases.

True

Stream velocity is lowest at the base level.

True

Stream width, depth, and velocity can all change in response to changes in discharge rates.

True

As the discharge of a stream increases, which of the following also happens?

Width, depth, and velocity all increase.

The figure above is a map of drainage basins across the U.S. A drainage divide is located

across North Texas

Deposition in a meandering river is greatest

along the inside of the bend, where stream velocity is reduced and the river is shallower

In fluvial transport, small particles

are suspended in the flowing water.

Humans can change the base level of a river by

building a dam.

When a river reaches a base level, its forward velocity rapidly _________ as it enters a larger body of standing water.

decelerates

Watersheds are defined by

drainage divides

Most streams in arid regions of the world are

ephemeral

Stream-related processes are termed

fluvial processes

Slower flow in a river results in

lower discharge, less weathering, and less erosion

A waterfall can develop along a river if

rock that is more resistant to weathering lays above weaker rock

The ultimate base level is

sea level

Braided streams are characterized by

sediment deposition in the channel resulting in the formation of sand and gravel bars and numerous small "channels."

The mouth of the Danube Basin exits into the Black Sea at the Danube Delta. The Danube Delta will grow in size if

stream velocity from the headwaters to the mouth of the Danube River increases.

The lowest areas of a drainage basin typically are

the location of rivers or streams.

A single, high peak on a hydrograph designates

the peak of a flood flow

A basin may form if

two continental plates rift (diverge)

Of the world's largest rivers, which has the greatest discharge?

Amazon River