BMP Test Questions and Correct
Answers
Perennial Stream - Answer-a watercourse that flows continuously (~90%) in a well-defined channel.
Stream bottom is sandy and no debris
Intermittent Stream - Answer-a watercourse that flows in a well-defined channel for 20-90% of the year
during normal rainfall conditions. Some debris is present in stream channel.
Ephemeral Stream - Answer-a watercourse without a well-defined channel which flows only in response
to fall or snowmelt. Ephemeral streams flows less than 20% of the year during normal rainfall conditions
(Ditches are technically ephemeral streams)
Headwall - Answer-the exposed portion of fill material to stream flow; typically covered with rocks for
erosion protection ( located on up-stream side of a culvert) head wall must be at a steep angle
Burrow Pit - Answer-an upland area that has been excavated for earthen material or fill to be used
elsewhere for road building (Typically red clay or sand) Yellow or gray sands are poorly suited due to
stickiness
, Wing Ditch - Answer-drainage structures that divert water flow from along a downward sloping
roadside, dispersing the water into a vegetated area to minimize erosion
Purpose of a Wing ditch - Answer-get water off the road to limit impacts of erosion and extend the life
of the road
Muck Swamp - Answer-a very poorly drained area, usually with standing water, characterized by heavy
organic matter accumulation (heavy organic/peat soils)
Out-sloped and In-sloped roadbed - Answer-road surfaces should not be flat so that they can drain. Out
and in-sloped roads are used in the mountains to get water off the roads. (In-sloped roads must have a
ditch and discharge pipes) Out-slope roads are cheaper to build; in-slope roads are safer but cost more
to build and maintain
Buffer Strip - Answer-a relatively undisturbed section of forest adjacent to an area requiring special
attention or protection such as a stream, lake, or road
Braided Streams - Answer-Streams with multiple interconnected channels and a high water table for
much of the year
Where do we find braided streams in SC? - Answer-Lower coastal plain
How do we construct a road to cross braided streams? - Answer-The road should be no higher than the
point of entrance or exit from the wetland area. In flood conditions, water should flow over top of road
(base of road is non-recoverable logs or timber)
Are forestry operations normally point source pollution or non source pollution? - Answer-Non-source
pollution because they are spread over large areas and cannot identify specific source
Answers
Perennial Stream - Answer-a watercourse that flows continuously (~90%) in a well-defined channel.
Stream bottom is sandy and no debris
Intermittent Stream - Answer-a watercourse that flows in a well-defined channel for 20-90% of the year
during normal rainfall conditions. Some debris is present in stream channel.
Ephemeral Stream - Answer-a watercourse without a well-defined channel which flows only in response
to fall or snowmelt. Ephemeral streams flows less than 20% of the year during normal rainfall conditions
(Ditches are technically ephemeral streams)
Headwall - Answer-the exposed portion of fill material to stream flow; typically covered with rocks for
erosion protection ( located on up-stream side of a culvert) head wall must be at a steep angle
Burrow Pit - Answer-an upland area that has been excavated for earthen material or fill to be used
elsewhere for road building (Typically red clay or sand) Yellow or gray sands are poorly suited due to
stickiness
, Wing Ditch - Answer-drainage structures that divert water flow from along a downward sloping
roadside, dispersing the water into a vegetated area to minimize erosion
Purpose of a Wing ditch - Answer-get water off the road to limit impacts of erosion and extend the life
of the road
Muck Swamp - Answer-a very poorly drained area, usually with standing water, characterized by heavy
organic matter accumulation (heavy organic/peat soils)
Out-sloped and In-sloped roadbed - Answer-road surfaces should not be flat so that they can drain. Out
and in-sloped roads are used in the mountains to get water off the roads. (In-sloped roads must have a
ditch and discharge pipes) Out-slope roads are cheaper to build; in-slope roads are safer but cost more
to build and maintain
Buffer Strip - Answer-a relatively undisturbed section of forest adjacent to an area requiring special
attention or protection such as a stream, lake, or road
Braided Streams - Answer-Streams with multiple interconnected channels and a high water table for
much of the year
Where do we find braided streams in SC? - Answer-Lower coastal plain
How do we construct a road to cross braided streams? - Answer-The road should be no higher than the
point of entrance or exit from the wetland area. In flood conditions, water should flow over top of road
(base of road is non-recoverable logs or timber)
Are forestry operations normally point source pollution or non source pollution? - Answer-Non-source
pollution because they are spread over large areas and cannot identify specific source
