(B) Divide Explanation: A divide is the boundary that separates two adjacent drainage basins, determining which way surface water will flow.

(C) Abrasion Explanation: Abrasion is the primary process by which rivers and streams erode their channels, as sediment particles carried by the water grind against the riverbed and banks.

(B) Watershed Explanation: A watershed, also known as a drainage basin, is the area of land where all precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet, such as a river, bay, or other body of water.

(C) The area adjacent to a river that is subject to flooding Explanation: A floodplain is the flat area adjacent to a river or stream that is subject to flooding during periods of high discharge.

(B) Intermittent stream Explanation: An intermittent stream only flows during certain times of the year, typically during the wet season or periods of heavy rain.

(B) Precipitation exceeding the infiltration capacity of the soil Explanation: Surface runoff occurs when precipitation exceeds the infiltration capacity of the soil, causing excess water to flow over the land surface.

(B) A chart showing the variation in river discharge over time Explanation: A hydrograph is a chart that shows the variation in river discharge or streamflow over time, often in response to precipitation events.

(B) River meandering and cutoff Explanation: An oxbow lake forms when a river meanders and eventually cuts off a loop, leaving a separate, crescent-shaped body of water.

(B) River discharge Explanation: River discharge is the volume of water flowing in a river per unit of time, typically measured in cubic meters per second (m³/s).

(C) Stream gradient Explanation: The stream gradient, or slope, is the primary factor that determines the velocity of a river, with steeper gradients generally resulting in faster flow.

(C) Mouth Explanation: The mouth is the point where a river meets a larger body of water, such as an ocean, sea, or lake, often forming a delta.

(C) Biodiversity and clean water Explanation: A healthy watershed or drainage basin is typically indicated by high biodiversity and clean water, which reflect good water quality and well-managed land practices.

(C) To control water flow and store water Explanation: The main purpose of a dam is to control water flow, store water for various uses (such as irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power), and manage flood risk.

(C) Water erosion and transport Explanation: A river’s sediment load is primarily caused by water erosion, which picks up and transports sediment from the riverbed and banks.

(C) Tributary Explanation: A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one, contributing to the overall flow of the main river.

Important MCQ on Surface Water Hydrology

16. What is the role of riparian vegetation along a riverbank?

(A) To increase erosion
(B) To stabilize the bank and reduce erosion
(C) To decrease infiltration
(D) To raise the water table

(B) To stabilize the bank and reduce erosion
Explanation: Riparian vegetation helps stabilize riverbanks and reduce erosion by anchoring the soil with roots and providing a buffer against water flow.

17. What is the significance of a river’s base level?

(A) It determines the maximum height a river can erode
(B) It is the volume of water the river carries
(C) It indicates the river’s flow velocity
(D) It measures the river’s sediment load

(A) It determines the maximum height a river can erode
Explanation: The base level is the lowest point to which a river can erode. It is often sea level for rivers that flow into the ocean.

18. What is stream competency in surface water hydrology?

(A) Its ability to transport sediment
(B) The volume of water it can carry
(C) The speed at which it flows
(D) The gradient of its channel

(A) Its ability to transport sediment
Explanation: A stream’s competence refers to its ability to transport sediment, specifically the maximum size of particles it can carry.

19. Which type of river channel is characterized by multiple interweaving channels?

(A) Straight channel
(B) Meandering channel
(C) Braided channel
(D) Anabranching channel

(C) Braided channel
Explanation: A braided channel is characterized by multiple interweaving channels separated by sediment bars, commonly found in rivers with high sediment loads and variable flows.

20. What is the primary method used to measure the discharge of a river?

(A) Evaporation rate
(B) Rain gauge
(C) Flow meter or current meter
(D) Soil moisture sensor

(C) Flow meter or current meter
Explanation: The primary method to measure the discharge of a river is using a flow meter or current meter, which measures the velocity of the water flow and, in combination with cross-sectional area measurements, determines the discharge.

21. What is the primary goal of watershed management?

(A) To increase industrial development
(B) To manage and protect water resources and land within a watershed
(C) To promote urbanization
(D) To build dams and reservoirs

(B) To manage and protect water resources and land within a watershed
Explanation: The primary goal of watershed management is to manage and protect water resources and land within a watershed to ensure sustainable use and conservation.

22. Which of the following practices is commonly used in watershed management to reduce soil erosion?

(A) Deforestation
(B) Terracing
(C) Urbanization
(D) Paving roads

(B) Terracing
Explanation: Terracing is a practice used in watershed management to reduce soil erosion by creating stepped levels on slopes, which slow down water runoff and minimize soil loss.

23. What causes the formation of a braided river?

(A) Low sediment load
(B) Stable flow
(C) High sediment load and variable flow
(D) Deep river channel

(C) High sediment load and variable flow
Explanation: Braided rivers form in response to high sediment loads and variable flow conditions, resulting in multiple interweaving channels separated by sediment bars.

24. What is the term for the sediment load that a river carries along its bed?

(A) Suspended load
(B) Bed load
(C) Dissolved load
(D) Total load

(B) Bed load
Explanation: Bed load consists of larger sediment particles that are transported along the riverbed by rolling, sliding, or hopping.

25. Which river feature forms where a stream cuts down into its own floodplain?

(A) Alluvial fan
(B) Meander scar
(C) Stream terrace
(D) Delta

(C) Stream terrace
Explanation: Stream terraces are step-like landforms that form along the sides of a valley when a stream cuts down into its own floodplain, leaving remnants of older floodplains as terraces.

26. What is the purpose of constructing check dams in drainage basins?

(A) To increase river flow speed
(B) To store large quantities of water
(C) To reduce soil erosion and slow down water flow
(D) To divert rivers

(C) To reduce soil erosion and slow down water flow
Explanation: Check dams are constructed to reduce soil erosion and slow down water flow, promoting water infiltration and preventing rapid runoff.

27. What is the primary factor influencing the formation of meanders in a river?

(A) The river’s temperature
(B) The river’s gradient and sediment load
(C) The depth of the river
(D) The width of the river

(B) The river’s gradient and sediment load
Explanation: The formation of meanders is primarily influenced by the river’s gradient and sediment load, which cause the river to erode its banks and deposit sediment in a sinuous pattern.

28. What is the term for the maximum amount of sediment a river can transport?

(A) Competence
(B) Capacity
(C) Load
(D) Gradient

(B) Capacity
Explanation: Capacity refers to the maximum amount of sediment a river can transport, dependent on the river’s discharge and flow velocity.

29. How does urbanization typically affect surface runoff?

(A) Decreases runoff
(B) Increases runoff
(C) Has no effect on runoff
(D) Depends on the climate

(B) Increases runoff
Explanation: Urbanization increases surface runoff by replacing permeable surfaces with impermeable ones like roads and buildings, reducing infiltration and increasing the volume of runoff.

30. What is the role of wetlands in watershed management?

(A) To increase erosion
(B) To act as natural water filters and storage areas
(C) To decrease sediment load in rivers
(D) To speed up water flow

(B) To act as natural water filters and storage areas
Explanation: Wetlands play a crucial role in surface water hydrology by acting as natural filters that trap sediments and pollutants, and as storage areas that help regulate water flow and reduce flooding.

Pages: 12

Important MCQ on Surface Water Hydrology

16. What is the role of riparian vegetation along a riverbank?

17. What is the significance of a river’s base level?

18. What is stream competency in surface water hydrology?

19. Which type of river channel is characterized by multiple interweaving channels?

20. What is the primary method used to measure the discharge of a river?

21. What is the primary goal of watershed management?

22. Which of the following practices is commonly used in watershed management to reduce soil erosion?

23. What causes the formation of a braided river?

24. What is the term for the sediment load that a river carries along its bed?

25. Which river feature forms where a stream cuts down into its own floodplain?

26. What is the purpose of constructing check dams in drainage basins?

27. What is the primary factor influencing the formation of meanders in a river?

28. What is the term for the maximum amount of sediment a river can transport?

29. How does urbanization typically affect surface runoff?

30. What is the role of wetlands in watershed management?

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