Water and River Systems Quiz Review

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to the water cycle, water usage, and watershed management based on lecture notes from the Water and River Systems unit.

What is the order of water amounts from greatest to least?

Ice caps/glaciers, surface and oceans, groundwater, atmosphere.

Where is most of the water in the world found?

Ice caps and glaciers.

Why can't we easily use the majority of the world's water?

Because it's frozen.

Where is most of the freshwater found?

In the ground.

What percentage of all the world's water is freshwater?

3%.

What does the water budget track?

The incoming and outgoing water.

What four factors affect the local water budget?

temperature, vegetation, wind, rainfall

How does temperature affect the local water budget?

When temperature goes up, evapotranspiration goes up.

How does vegetation affect the local water budget?

When vegetation goes up, runoff goes down.

How does wind affect the local water budget?

When wind goes up, evapotranspiration goes up.

How does rainfall affect the local water budget?

When rainfall goes up, runoff goes up.

How is water added to an area?

Precipitation.

How is water removed from an area?

Evapotranspiration and runoff.

What does it mean if an area has a surplus?

It has more incoming water than outgoing.

What does it mean if an area has a deficit?

There are more expenses than income in water.

What are some common uses of water by people?

Cleaning, cooking, drinking, showering.

What is a method to conserve water?

Taking shorter showers.

Which months have a surplus in the water budget for Buffalo, NY?

January, March-May, November-December.

What is the order of water amounts from greatest to least?

Ice caps/glaciers, surface and oceans, groundwater, atmosphere.

bye

bye

no

no

yes

yes

hi

hi

List the 7 steps of getting water to homes in Lansing in order.

Groundwater, wells & pumps, water conditioning plant, water supply main.

List the 6 steps of how water leaves homes in order.

Your drain/sewer pipes, main sewer, wastewater treatment, river, lake.

What is a watershed?

The land that supplies water to a river system.

What is a watershed boundary or divide?

The area of land that supplies water to a river system.

Where do pollutants from the watershed end up?

In the bodies of water within the watersheds.

In what direction do rivers always flow and why?

Downhill because of gravity.

Where do rivers start and where do they end?

Start at headwaters, end at mouth.

How can you tell from a map which way a river is flowing?

By the elevations.

What are three types of pollution from farms?

Bacteria, animal waste, oil & gas from farm equipment.

What types of contaminants do we find in subdivisions?

Nitrates, pesticides, bacteria, road salts from fertilizer.