SRT Hydrology and River Hazards 2

Question 1

What term describes the volume of water flowing past a fixed point per unit of time in a river?

Accepted Answer

Discharge

Answer

Discharge, measured in cubic feet per second (cfs) or cubic meters per second, is the volume of water moving past a point per unit time.

Question 2

A 'hole' or hydraulic on a river is created when water flows over a submerged obstruction and recirculates. Which current characterizes the surface flow of a hydraulic?

Accepted Answer

Upstream at the surface toward the obstruction

Answer

In a hydraulic, surface water flows back upstream toward the obstruction, creating a recirculating trap for swimmers and boats.

Question 3

What is the 'tongue' of a rapid?

Accepted Answer

The smooth V-shaped downstream-pointing current between obstacles

Answer

The tongue is the smooth, V-shaped chute of fast water pointing downstream that indicates the deepest, least obstructed channel through a rapid.

Question 4

Which factor most directly causes an increase in a river's erosive power during flood conditions?

Accepted Answer

Exponential increase in velocity and discharge

Answer

During floods, both velocity and discharge increase dramatically, and erosive power increases exponentially with velocity (proportional to velocity squared or greater).

Question 5

What is a 'strainer' in swiftwater rescue terminology?

Accepted Answer

An obstruction that allows water through but traps solid objects

Answer

A strainer is any obstacle (such as a downed tree or debris pile) that allows water to pass through but traps swimmers, boats, or rescue personnel.

(SRT) Swiftwater Rescue Technician Certification Practice Test

(SRT) Swiftwater Rescue Technician Certification Practice Test

SRT Hydrology and River Hazards 2