Water Flashcards
How much do floods in the US cost annually?
$2 billion
How many people die annually due to floods in the US?
100 people
What is a recurrence interval for floods?
Size & magnitude of floods (ie. 100yr flood)
Are there state floodplain regulations?
No- all local
Through the GA Water Quality Control Act, what is the State of GA responsible for?
Quantity and quality of water resources
What are the 4 objectives to the 2001 Joint Water study Committee & Water council?
- Minimize withdrawals
- Maximize returns to River basins
- In stream/ off stream needs
- Protect water quality
What is the Federal Clean Water Act?
Establishes quality standards by intended use
What are the two water quality standards set by the Federal Clean Water Act?
- Activity/ use
- Supporting conditions
T or F: The Federal Clean Water Act requires each state to establish water quality standards.
True
How often are the standards from the FCWA reviewed?
Every 3 years
What is GA’s agency that establishes water quality standards?
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)
What are the 5 designated “use classes” set by the EPD?
- Fishing (93%)
- Recreation (4%)
- Drinking (2%)
- Wild+Scenic River (<1%)
- Coastal Fishing (<1%)
What are GA’s 3 criteria’s for water quality standards?
- Description
- Numerical testing benchmarks (how much oxygen, pH, bacteria, temp…)
- Numerical testing limits (are there toxic substances…)
What does the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission do?
Guide, coordinate, and give assistance to soil and water conservation districts to all counties (159)
When always the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission created?
1937
What does the Outstanding National Resource Waters (ONRW) do?
Special designation for high quality resources (State parks, wildlife refuges, etc)
When are variances allowed for water quality?
If improvements are being made
When can the State remove a designated use?
If attainability analysis seems designated use in achievable
What is the definition of “water” or “water of the state”?
All water, natural or unnatural water bodies in the state not confined to single property
What is the general criteria for all waters?
- Water free of unsightly/ noticeable scum (floating) & sludge (settling)
- Upstream & downstream visually same turbidity from point source (after mixing)
- No acids, toxins of concern, and other specific pollutants
Who defines State water buffers?
GA Erosion and Sediment Control Act of 1975
Warm water bodies have an undisputed buffer of ___ft & cool water bodies have an undisputed buffer of ___ft.
- 25ft
- 50ft
Where are buffers measured from?
Natural vegetation edge
What is the most common pollutant?
Sediment
How is sediment in water measured?
Total suspended solids (TSS)
What are the second biggest pollutants?
Runoff nutrients
T or F: Runoff volume increases in proportion to nearby impervious area.
True
What are the two most problematic nutrient pollutants?
Phosphorus (reduces oxygen in water) and nitrogen (similar to phosphorus)
T or F: Vegetation reduces volume and velocity of runoff
True
What do riparian buffers provide for aquatic ecosystems?
Food, temperature control, and habitat
T or F: recreation generates revenue which is a positive feedback loop for water quality protection
True
Buffer effectiveness depends on 3 things:
- Extent (linear)
- Width
- Vegetation
T or F: buffers do not have to be native forest for max effectiveness
False
Who manages wetlands in GA?
Environmental protection agency (EPA)
What percentage of GA is wetlands?
14%
What 3 things define wetlands?
- Hydric soils
- Plant community
- Hydrology
What industry were errands traditionally destroyed by?
Agriculture and forestry
What is the current destroyer of wetlands?
Urbanism
What are the 7 major water uses of the Water Conservation Implementation Plan (2009)
- Agricultural irrigation (withdrawals ground water)
- Electric generations (power plants- largest user)
- Golf courses
- Industrial + Commercial
- Landscape irrigation
- Domestic+ no industrial public use (surface drain)
- State agencies
How often does the GA Water Use Program (GWUP) collect state data?
Every 5 years (publishes report)
