Author Question: Why is it dangerous to drive in a shallow flooded area? What will be an ideal ... (Read 62 times)

BRWH · **on:** Jul 13, 2018

Why is it dangerous to drive in a shallow flooded area?
What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How does vegetation removal affect the contribution of sediment to streams?
What will be an ideal response?

emilymalinowski12 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 13, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANSWER: Even though water may appear shallow, the force of its flow against the wheels or side of a car can wash it downstream. Fast-moving water only 30 cm (1 ft.) deep is extremely dangerous. Shallow, fast-moving water can erode a deep channel underwater that may not be visible to a driver. Driving into apparently shallow muddy water that hides a washed-out roadway can drop a vehicle into deep water and cause drowning. Even where water is still or hardly moving, the settling of part of a roadway can cause unexpected deep water.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER: Some water is taken up by plants in the form of transpiration, the natural evaporation of rainfall from leaves and removal of water from soil via roots through the leaves. When vegetation is removed, more water soaks into the ground and runs off its surface. More water penetrating a slope tends to promote landslides, which in some areas contribute as much as 85 of the sediment supplied to a stream. That upsets the balance of the stream, causing increased sediment deposition and increased flooding downstream.