Chapter 13
I.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Word Definition
Base level
Bed load
Capacity
Competence
Delta
Deposition
Discharge
Eutrophication
Flash flood
Flood plain
Gradient
Load
Meanders
Oxbow lake
Stream piracy
Tributary
Watershed
1
II. Comprehension Questions
1. Describe the role that rivers and streams play in the water cycle.
2. How does discharge in the Mississippi River change as it approaches the Gulf of
Mexico? Why do these changes occur?
3. Describe three different ways that rivers can transport rock materials.
4. On May 31, 2000, thunderstorms began dropping rain over parts of Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. Up to 7 inches of rain fell in about 12 hours. The rain
ended on June 1, but flooding caused by the storm lasted through June 3. Why did
flooding continue after the rain ended?
5. Describe some of the artificial means used to control flooding.
2
6. List several ways human activities have contributed to flooding.
7. Label the diagram with the following words: back swamp, floodplain, valley wall, oxbow
lake, meander, natural levee, yazoo tributary, meander scars
3
8. The graph below shows the relationship between particle diameter and the speed of
stream flow needed to keep the particle in suspension. The graph also shows size
ranges for clay, silt, sand, pebbles, cobbles, and boulders.
a. What is the range of diameters for particles that are classified as pebbles?
b. Suppose a particle has a diameter of 0.05 cm. What is the particle called?
c. What is the name of the particle that stays in suspension at the slowest stream
speed?
d. What is the minimum stream speed needed to carry a boulder in suspension?
e. Name the particles that would be in suspension in a stream moving at 100
centimeters per second.
4