1|Page
CESSWI EXAM, COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS || QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE
ANSWERS | GET IT RIGHT |2026\2027!
Erosion ......ANSWER......process in which, by the actions of wind and/or
water, soil particles detached and transported
Sediment ......ANSWER......eroded material suspended in wind or water
Sedimentation ......ANSWER......deposition of eroded material
Types of Erosion ......ANSWER......splash
sheet
rill
gully
channel
Splash erosion ......ANSWER......raindrop impact energy is enough to
dislodge surface sediments
sheet erosion ......ANSWER......caused by rain splash detaching soil
particles lifting them up and removing them by shallow "sheets" of
water flowing down the sloped soil surface
,2|Page
Rill Erosion ......ANSWER......as flow concentrates, small channels begin
to form in the soil surface
Gully Erosion ......ANSWER......Formed when runoff cuts rills deeper and
wider or when flows from several rills come together and form a large
channels
Channel Erosion ......ANSWER......may become unstable due to
increased flows or changes in upstream sediment load
Natural erosion ......ANSWER......generally considered due to the
influences of climate on the surface of the earth
Accelerated erosion ......ANSWER......natural erosion plus human
activities
What problems can accelerated erosion cause?
......ANSWER......Unrestricted development
removal of surface cover
increased imperviousness
poor stewardship
,3|Page
Problems associated with construction related erosion
......ANSWER......problems for down slope property owners
nuisance problems on streets
clog streams and storm drains
increased turbidity downstream
cover sensitive habitat with sediment
Identify instream damages of sediment ......ANSWER......destruction of
spawning areas, food sources, habitat
direct toxicity to wildlife
lake degradation
filling of navigation channels
impacts to commercial fisheries
reduction of water storage capacities
Suspended material ......ANSWER......sediment can affect light
penetration, channel stability, fisheries and habitat
Name Off stream damages ......ANSWER......Increased flood hazards
increased water treatment costs
decreased capacity in conveyance facilities
higher infrastructure maintenance costs
, 4|Page
What has increased the amount of impervious surface in our
watersheds? ......ANSWER......Urbanization and development
priority pollutants include ......ANSWER......nutrients
pathogens
heavy metals
toxics
sediment
salts
detergents
hydro carbons
Clean Water Act (CWA) ......ANSWER......Federal Water Pollution Control
Act enacted to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and
biological integrity of the waters of the US
administered by USEPA
Section 401 ......ANSWER......water quality certification
requires applicant, including any construction or operation of a facility,
to obtain certification to discharge ANY pollutant.
administered by the State
CESSWI EXAM, COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS || QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE
ANSWERS | GET IT RIGHT |2026\2027!
Erosion ......ANSWER......process in which, by the actions of wind and/or
water, soil particles detached and transported
Sediment ......ANSWER......eroded material suspended in wind or water
Sedimentation ......ANSWER......deposition of eroded material
Types of Erosion ......ANSWER......splash
sheet
rill
gully
channel
Splash erosion ......ANSWER......raindrop impact energy is enough to
dislodge surface sediments
sheet erosion ......ANSWER......caused by rain splash detaching soil
particles lifting them up and removing them by shallow "sheets" of
water flowing down the sloped soil surface
,2|Page
Rill Erosion ......ANSWER......as flow concentrates, small channels begin
to form in the soil surface
Gully Erosion ......ANSWER......Formed when runoff cuts rills deeper and
wider or when flows from several rills come together and form a large
channels
Channel Erosion ......ANSWER......may become unstable due to
increased flows or changes in upstream sediment load
Natural erosion ......ANSWER......generally considered due to the
influences of climate on the surface of the earth
Accelerated erosion ......ANSWER......natural erosion plus human
activities
What problems can accelerated erosion cause?
......ANSWER......Unrestricted development
removal of surface cover
increased imperviousness
poor stewardship
,3|Page
Problems associated with construction related erosion
......ANSWER......problems for down slope property owners
nuisance problems on streets
clog streams and storm drains
increased turbidity downstream
cover sensitive habitat with sediment
Identify instream damages of sediment ......ANSWER......destruction of
spawning areas, food sources, habitat
direct toxicity to wildlife
lake degradation
filling of navigation channels
impacts to commercial fisheries
reduction of water storage capacities
Suspended material ......ANSWER......sediment can affect light
penetration, channel stability, fisheries and habitat
Name Off stream damages ......ANSWER......Increased flood hazards
increased water treatment costs
decreased capacity in conveyance facilities
higher infrastructure maintenance costs
, 4|Page
What has increased the amount of impervious surface in our
watersheds? ......ANSWER......Urbanization and development
priority pollutants include ......ANSWER......nutrients
pathogens
heavy metals
toxics
sediment
salts
detergents
hydro carbons
Clean Water Act (CWA) ......ANSWER......Federal Water Pollution Control
Act enacted to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and
biological integrity of the waters of the US
administered by USEPA
Section 401 ......ANSWER......water quality certification
requires applicant, including any construction or operation of a facility,
to obtain certification to discharge ANY pollutant.
administered by the State
