Self-Check: Watersheds
Applying what you have learned so far is important. Think about each question and then click to see a sample answer.
How would the nature of the soil in an area affect the amount of runoff and infiltration in a watershed?
Clay and other fine textured soils do not absorb water as quickly as sand and coarse textured soils. Therefore, clay soils encourage less infiltration and more runoff, and visa versa for sandy soils.
How might the amount of runoff in a watershed be related to the amount of rainfall it receives?
Obviously, the more rainfall a watershed receives the more water it carries. However, the more saturated an area’s soil becomes, the more runoff there is. Saturated soils are like a wet paper towel that can’t hold any more water; runoff starts quickly after the soils become saturated.
How might the number of impervious surfaces—such as streets and parking lots—affect the amount of runoff in a watershed?
Impervious surfaces are those that do not allow the infiltration of water. Any water hitting them has to go somewhere, and it thus becomes runoff. The more impervious surfaces in a watershed, the more runoff it has.
