True or False?
Urban areas experience lower rates of precipitation compared to rural regions.
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True or False?
Urban areas experience lower rates of precipitation compared to rural regions.
False.
Urban areas experience higher rates of precipitation compared to rural regions.
Define the term surface runoff.
Surface runoff is the flow of water that occurs on the surface when excess storm water, meltwater, or other sources cannot rapidly infiltrate into the soil.
True or False?
Urban areas have more permeable surfaces than rural areas.
False.
Urban areas have more impermeable surfaces than rural areas.
What is a flash flood?
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of low-lying areas, often caused by intense rainfall over a short period of time.
Define the urban heat island effect.
The urban heat island effect is a phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and urban development.
What is an urban hydrograph?
An urban hydrograph is a graph showing the rate of water discharge versus time past a specific point in a river or other channel during a storm event in an urban area.
True or False?
Urban hydrographs typically have a longer lag time than rural hydrographs.
False.
Urban hydrographs typically have a shorter lag time than rural hydrographs.
What does it mean when an urban hydrograph is described as flashy?
A flashy urban hydrograph shows a rapid rise in discharge over a short period of time, with a short lag time, high peak discharge, and a fast return to base flow.
Define base flow.
Base flow is the portion of streamflow that comes from groundwater seepage into a river or stream.
What is a storm drain?
A storm drain is a system designed to drain excess rain and groundwater from impervious surfaces such as paved streets, car parks, pavements and roofs.
What does SuDS stand for?
SuDS stands for Sustainable Drainage Systems.
What is catchment management?
Catchment management is a holistic approach to managing a river catchment, considering the interactions between water and land and aiming to improve drainage and minimise flooding, drought, and water pollution.
True or False?
Afforestation is an example of hard engineering.
False.
Afforestation is an example of soft engineering.
What is channelisation?
Channelisation is the process of straightening and deepening streams and rivers to increase flow rates and reduce silting.
Define floodplain zoning.
Floodplain zoning is the restriction on building in certain areas of a floodplain to reduce flood risk.
What is a swale in the context of SuDS?
A swale is a wide, shallow drainage channel that slows down surface runoff and is usually dry, except during heavy rainfall.
True or False?
Green roofs increase surface runoff.
False.
Green roofs decrease surface runoff and increase evapotranspiration.
What is an infiltration basin?
An infiltration basin is a vegetated depression that stores surface runoff and allows it to infiltrate into the ground.
What is the purpose of a retention pond in SuDS?
A retention pond is designed to store excess water from rainfall and filter urban pollutants.
What is the management train in SuDS?
The management train in SuDS is a sequence of techniques that work together to change the characteristics of runoff flow and quality, progressing from prevention through local source controls to larger downstream site controls.
What is river restoration?
River restoration is the process of returning a river to its natural state by removing or modifying human-made alterations.
True or False?
River restoration always involves completely removing all human-made alterations.
False.
Most river restoration projects are only partial due to practical constraints.
What is the primary goal of river conservation?
The primary goal of river conservation is the protection, preservation, management, or restoration of wildlife and natural resources associated with rivers.
What is the purpose of meander straightening?
Meander straightening is the process of artificially straightening a river's natural bends to increase flow rate and reduce flooding.
What is the purpose of a dam?
A dam is a barrier constructed across a river to control water flow or create a reservoir.
True or False?
Dams have only positive impacts on river systems.
False.
Although dams can reduce flooding and improve navigation, they also have negative impacts, such as increased evaporation and erosion downstream.
What is the River Restoration Centre?
The River Restoration Centre is an organisation that provides advice and information on river restoration projects throughout the UK.
Define wetland in the context of river restoration.
A wetland is an area of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, that plays a crucial role in flood management and biodiversity.
What was the main goal of the River Cole restoration project in Birmingham?
The main goal of the River Cole restoration project was to return the river to its original course, reintroduce wildlife, improve water quality, and reduce flood risk by reintroducing wetland.
True or False?
The River Cole restoration project was universally welcomed by local farmers.
False.
Many farmers were unhappy about the development of marshland and the potential loss of agricultural land due to the river's new course.