Which one of the following is true concerning a major river system?
A)Upstream tributaries generally have lower gradients than the major river.
B)Channel bed roughness and turbulence generally increase downstream.
C)Upstream tributaries generally have higher competencies than the major river.
D)Discharge decreases below junctions with perennial tributaries.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Upstream tributaries often have steeper gradients and smaller cross-sectional areas compared to the main river, which allows them to carry larger particles at higher velocities, demonstrating higher competencies. This is because the competency of a river, which refers to the maximum size of particles it can transport, is influenced by the velocity of the water flow. Higher velocities in upstream tributaries enable them to transport larger sediments than the slower-moving waters of the major river downstream.

Which One of the Following Is True Concerning a Major