Watershed Planning and Land Use Management Practice Exam

Practice flashcards covering the Mississippi MDEQ watershed planning approach, EPA Nine Minimum Elements, and the impact of land use on water quality including runoff calculations and pollutant types.

At what hydrologic unit code (HUC) scale does the Mississippi NPS Program now focus its watershed prioritization and planning?

HUC 12

What is the approximate size in acres of a HUC 12 scale watershed?

$25,000$ to $30,000\,acres$

How many HUC 12 watersheds are located within the state of Mississippi?

1,468

What specific grant fund is used to support watershed scale implementation projects in Mississippi?

Section 319 grant funds

Which local group is formed to gather information and write a Watershed-based Plan (WBP) for a priority watershed?

Watershed Implementation Team (WIT)

How many minimum elements has the EPA identified as critical for a WBP to be eligible for Section 319 funding?

Nine

According to Section 319 guidelines, how are 'Threatened waters' defined?

Waters that meet standards but exhibit a declining trend in water quality such that they will likely exceed standards in the near future.

What is a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)?

A calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive from both point and nonpoint sources and still meet water quality standards.

In the six steps of watershed planning, what is the first step?

Build partnerships

What are the first three elements (a through c) of the EPA's nine minimum elements primarily used for?

To address primary sources of pollution and determine management strategies during characterization and goal-setting phases.

According to Indiana land use data, how many inches of runoff result from a $4-inch$ rainfall on forest land?

$$0.5\,inches$$

According to Indiana land use data, how many inches of runoff result from a $4-inch$ rainfall on roofs or pavement?

$$3.9\,inches$$

Which category of impervious area is increasing at a faster rate than buildings in residential and commercial areas?

Transport-related areas (roads, driveways, and parking lots)

Identify the largest pollutant by volume in Indiana.

Sediment

What specific bacteria is used to indicate the presence of fecal waste in water?

$$E.\,coli$$

What is 'hypoxia' in the context of the Gulf of Mexico?

A zone of low oxygen where fish cannot live, caused in part by nitrate in the Mississippi River.

What is the primary concern for infants and pregnant women regarding high concentrations of nitrate in drinking water?

It is toxic to infants and may be harmful to pregnant women.

How do oxygen-demanding substances like decaying leaves and grass clippings affect water quality?

They deplete dissolved oxygen when decomposed by microorganisms.

At what percentage range of watershed imperviousness do studies suggest water quality deterioration typically begins?

$10\%$ to $20\%$

What is the difference between a 'dry' detention pond and a 'wet' retention pond?

Dry basins are depressions used for holding peak flow that provide minimal treatment, while wet basins are permanent pools that offer better water quality treatment and storage time.

What is the meaning of the abbreviation CMA in the context of road salt alternatives?

Calcium magnesium acetate

What is the main goal of using 'conservation design' approach in urban planning?

To reduce impervious areas by incorporating open spaces, reducing road width, or using permeable pavement.