What is the main function of evapotranspiration in the hydrological cycle?
A Water storage
B Water loss to atmosphere
C Water transfer
D Water absorption
Evapotranspiration is the combined process of evaporation from the soil and transpiration from plants, contributing to the loss of water from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere.
Which term describes water that soaks into the ground?
A Infiltration
B Runoff
C Precipitation
D Transpiration
Infiltration refers to the process by which water moves from the surface into the soil, replenishing groundwater supplies.
Which of these structures is used to store water in a river system?
A Wells
B Canals
C Dams
D Pumps
Dams are large structures built across rivers to store water, control flow, and prevent flooding while also providing water for irrigation and power generation.
What does a unit hydrograph represent?
A Groundwater level change
B Streamflow over time
C Rainfall distribution
D Water balance equation
A unit hydrograph represents the streamflow response to a unit of rainfall, typically used to analyze flood peaks and runoff in a watershed.
Which type of aquifer has impermeable layers above and below it?
A Confined aquifer
B Perched
C Artesian
D Unconfined
A confined aquifer is surrounded by impermeable layers of rock, restricting water movement and typically under pressure, which often results in artesian wells.
What is the main goal of floodplain management?
A Improve water quality
B Store water
C Manage flood risk
D Prevent erosion
The main goal of floodplain management is to reduce the risk of flooding through land-use planning, flood control measures, and flood forecasting systems.
Which type of modeling uses statistical methods to predict hydrological events?
A Stochastic modeling
B Deterministic modeling
C Physical modeling
D GIS modeling
Stochastic modeling incorporates randomness into the predictions of hydrological events, often used in rainfall-runoff and flood forecasting studies.
Which term refers to the area of land where all water drains into a specific water body?
A Tributary
B Watershed
C Catchment
D Basin
A watershed is the land area that collects and drains water into a specific water body such as a river, lake, or reservoir.
What is a major challenge in urban hydrology?
A High precipitation rates
B Limited water supply
C Managing runoff
D High evaporation rates
Managing runoff in urban areas is challenging due to impervious surfaces like roads and buildings, which prevent water from infiltrating into the soil.
Which method is commonly used to estimate streamflow in rivers?
A Stream gauge
B Thermometer
C Rain gauge
D Anemometer
Stream gauges are used to measure the flow of water in rivers and streams, providing essential data for flood forecasting and water resource management.
Which is a key component in sediment transport in rivers?
A Plant cover
B Flow velocity
C Soil type
D Water temperature
Flow velocity is crucial in sediment transport, as it determines the capacity of the river to carry sediments of different sizes and types.
What is the purpose of flood routing in hydrology?
A To reduce infiltration
B To manage water storage
C To forecast flood timing and peaks
D To increase evaporation losses
Flood routing involves predicting the timing, magnitude, and duration of floods by modeling the movement of floodwaters through a river system.
What is a major objective of watershed management?
A Soil erosion prevention
B Increasing groundwater recharge
C Enhancing water quality
D All of the above
Watershed management focuses on improving water quality, preventing soil erosion, and enhancing groundwater recharge through sustainable land and water use practices.
Which of these is essential for designing an irrigation system?
A Streamflow data
B Water storage capacity
C Precipitation patterns
D All of the above
Designing an irrigation system requires data on streamflow, water storage, and precipitation patterns to ensure efficient water distribution to crops.
What is the primary focus of ecohydrology?
A Flood forecasting
B Water quality improvement
C Water conservation
D Ecosystem-water relationships
Ecohydrology focuses on the relationship between water and ecosystems, aiming to improve water management by considering ecological needs and environmental sustainability.