4.6: Watersheds Flashcards
1
Q
What is a watershed?
A
All of the land that drains into a specific body of water
2
Q
What are the characteristics of a watershed?
A
Area, slop, soil, vegetation types, divides with adjoining watershed
3
Q
How does vegetation, soil composition, and slope play a large role in how watersheds drain?
A
- More vegetation = more infiltration and groundwater recharge
- Greater slope= faster velocity of runoff and more soil erosion
- Soil permeability determines infiltration vs runoff
4
Q
What does rainwater do when it falls into a watershed?
A
It can runoff across the land until it joins the river or one of its tributaries or it infiltrates and percolates to join groundwater
5
Q
How do human activities like logging affect a watershed?
A
- Logging/deforestation: Without tree roots holding soil in place, sediment can runoff into water
- Storm water running off asphalt in the city into water sheds
Overall, human activities determine water quality
6
Q
Solutions to human damage of watersheds?
A
- Cover crops
- Riparian buffers
- Animal manure management
- Septic tank upgrades
- Enhanced nutrient removal
- Biological nutrient removal
