Author Question: What are distributaries, and why do they form? What will be an ideal ... (Read 76 times)

fnuegbu

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 539
What are distributaries, and why do they form?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Describe three basic flood control strategies.
 
  What will be an ideal response?



mrphibs

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 307
Answer to Question 1

A distributary is a stream channel that branches off and flows away from the main channel. They form as deltas grow outward, and the stream's gradient continually lessens. This eventually causes the channel to become choked with sediment, and the river seeks a shorter, higher-gradient route to base level.

Answer to Question 2

Artificial levees are built to increase the volume of water a channel can hold, they are higher and steeper than the natural levees that border the channel. Flood control dams store floodwater and then let it out slowly, which lowers the flood crest by spreading it out over a long time span. Channelization is the alteration of a stream channel to speed up the flow velocity to prevent water level from reaching flood height.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

If you could remove all of your skin, it would weigh up to 5 pounds.

Did you know?

The top 10 most important tips that will help you grow old gracefully include (1) quit smoking, (2) keep your weight down, (3) take supplements, (4) skip a meal each day or fast 1 day per week, (5) get a pet, (6) get medical help for chronic pain, (7) walk regularly, (8) reduce arguments, (9) put live plants in your living space, and (10) do some weight training.

Did you know?

Urine turns bright yellow if larger than normal amounts of certain substances are consumed; one of these substances is asparagus.

Did you know?

About 3% of all pregnant women will give birth to twins, which is an increase in rate of nearly 60% since the early 1980s.

Did you know?

In 2012, nearly 24 milliion Americans, aged 12 and older, had abused an illicit drug, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library