In the late spring and summer of 2012, the majority of the United States experienced a severe drought, which damaged crops and affected barge traffic on major rivers. How did the drought reduce barge traffic?
How did the drought affect the factors that determine streamflow? What are three ways that rivers lost water to the drought? (Hint: Where did the water go?)
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: The drought affected barge traffic because the water levels in the rivers fell, leaving less room for navigation. With the reduction in discharge, the width and depth of the river will decrease and velocity will slow, which will result in more deposition of sediment that will further reduce the navigable area. During the drought, rivers lose water via evaporation, drainage downstream without replacement, and infiltration due to the lowering water table.
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