Question

Which of the following accompanies urbanization (replacing farms and open areas with cities): a. the discharge pattern of streams in the area does not change b. runoff occurs more quickly and produces a higher peak flow c. runoff becomes more spread out in time, increasing the amount of flooding d. runoff becomes more spread out in time, reducing the amount of flooding e. none of the choices

Answer 1

Urbanization increases surface runoff, resulting in water in streams and rivers reaching higher levels quickly after rainfall, which can enhance the risk and intensity of flooding.

Step-by-step explanation:

Urbanization, which involves replacing farms and open areas with cities, typically accompanies a change in the water discharge pattern of streams in the area. The correct answer is b. runoff occurs more quickly and produces a higher peak flow. When natural land is replaced with impervious surfaces like pavement and buildings, it diminishes the land's ability to absorb water, thus increasing surface runoff. This leads to streams and rivers reaching higher water levels more quickly following rainfall, which can increase the risk and intensity of flooding.

Gentrification of cities often results in less affluent residents being pushed into less desirable areas. It can also cause cities to become more crowded and exacerbate traffic issues, including pollution. Additionally, the lack of public water works and proper sewage disposal systems in urban areas can lead to contamination of water supplies and exacerbate problems such as flooding and pollution in nearby rivers and streams.

Answer 2

Urbanization typically results in quicker runoff and higher peak flow due to impermeable surfaces, which can lead to increased risk of flash flooding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process of urbanization often involves the conversion of farms and open areas into urban landscapes, which impacts how water runs off the land. With the replacement of permeable surfaces, such as soil and vegetation, with impermeable surfaces like concrete and asphalt, it alters the hydrology of an area. As a result, option b, "runoff occurs more quickly and produces a higher peak flow," is the correct answer. This quickened runoff can lead to flash flooding because the water does not have the opportunity to infiltrate into the ground as it did when the area was undeveloped. In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the typical hydrological changes associated with urbanization.