FL - Fluvial Processes

Question 1

Define:

Cut Bank?

Answer 1

When a meandering stream has a curve and deposition does not occur there is more erosion and the velocity of the river increases

Question 2

Define:

Point Bar?

Answer 2

When a meandering stream has a curve and deposition occurs (the inside part of the curve that is not the edge)

Question 3

Define:

Competence?

Answer 3

Largest Particle a stream can carry (Dependent on flow speed/velocity)

Question 4

Define:

Capacity?

Answer 4

Amount of Solid material a stream can transport (Dependent on flow speed/velocity/volume)

Question 5

Define:

Saltation?

Question 6

Define:

Traction?

Question 7

Identify:

Floodplains?

Answer 7

Low lying, nearly falt, alluvial valley floors that occasionally flood

Question 8

Identify:

Bluffs?

Landforms associated w/ Floodplains

Answer 8

Outer limits of a rivers Floodplain

Question 9

Define:

Fluvial Processes?

Answer 9

Processes that involve running water and shape the earth through Erosion, Transport, & Deposition

Question 10

Identify & Explain:

Stream Erosion?

Answer 10

A stream with signifcant erosive potiential carry sediment and slowly erode them through fluvial erosion

Question 11

Identify:

Transportation?

Answer 11

The movement of rocks and materials down the stream

Question 12

Identify:

Deposition?

Answer 12

The materials in the stream are deposited in a different location due to changes in competence and capacity
- Happens as floodwaters slow down and are unable to carry sediments

Question 13

Identify:

Stream Load?

3 Aspects?

Answer 13

The various materials and sediments that are transported by a flowing body of water

Dissolved Load, Suspended Load, Bed Load

Question 14

Identify:

Dissolved Load?

Stream Load

Answer 14

Minerals that dissolve in the stream, mostly salt and other ions
- Invisible to the naked eye
- Can only be detected through chemical analysis

Question 15

Identify:

Suspended Load?

Stream Load

Answer 15

Fine particles such as clay, organic matter, and small sand grains
- Can impact water quality, aquatic habitats, and effectiveness of water treatment processes
- Presence of them gives the water a cloudy or turbid appearance

Question 16

Identify:

Bed Load?

Stream Load

Answer 16

Larger or heavier particles such as gravel, pebbles, and larger sand grains that settle at the bottom of the stream
Responsible for shaping stream channel, eroding the streambed and creating riffles and gravel bars

Question 17

Define:

Recurrence Interval?

Answer 17

Formula: (RI) = (N+1)/M
N = the number of years in the data record
M = Rank of the flood event
- Indicates the relative rarity of a flood
- The larger the recurrence interval, the less frequent a flood is expected to occur

Question 18

Identify:

Straight Channel?

4 Channel Stream Patterns

Answer 18

A Straight line stream
Uncommon in nature
Conditions: Found in areas with steep gradients, high sediment loads, and coarse bed materials. Common in mountainous areas with swift flows and rocky or gravelly beds.

Question 19

Identify:

Sinous Channel?

Answer 19

Gentle, smooth curves, with a single, continous curve alternating from one bank to the other
Looks line a sine graph
Found in areas with moderate slopes and mix of sediment sizes, including sand and gravel
Plains & Hilly Terrain

Question 20

Identify:

Braided Channel?

Answer 20

Complex network of interconnected smaller channels and islands formed by sediment deposition
Found in glacial and desert areas

Question 21

Identify:

Meandering Channel?

Question 22

Identify:

Oxbow Lake?