CPESC EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. Erosion
Answer process in which, by the actions of wind and/or water, soil particles detached and
transported
2. Sediment
Answer eroded material suspended in wind or water
3. Sedimentation
Answer deposition of eroded material
4. Types of Erosion
Answer splash sheet
rill
gully
channel
5. Splash erosion
Answer raindrop impact energy is enough to dislodge surface sediments
6. 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
7. Rill Erosion
Answer as flow concentrates, small channels begin to form in the soil surface
8. Gully Erosion
Answer Formed when runoff cuts rills deeper and wider or when flows from several rills come together
and form a large channels
9. Channel Erosion
Answer may become unstable due to increased flows or changes in upstream sediment load
10. Natural erosion
Answer generally considered due to the influences of climate on the surface of the earth
11. Accelerated erosion
Answer natural erosion plus human activities
12. What problems can accelerated erosion cause?
Answer Unrestricted development removal of surface cover
increased
imperviousness poor
stewardship
,13. 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
14. 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
15. Suspended material
Answer sediment can affect light penetration, channel stability, fisheries and habitat
16. Name Off stream damages
Answer Increased flood hazards increased water
treatment costs
decreased capacity in conveyance facilities
higher infrastructure maintenance costs
, 17. What has increased the amount of impervious surface in our
watersheds?
Answer -
Urbanization and development
18. priority pollutants include
Answer nutrients pathogens
heavy metals
toxics
sediment
salts
detergents
hydro carbons
19. 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
20. Section 401
Answer water quality certification
requires applicant, including any construction or operation of a facility, to obtain certification to discharge ANY
ANSWERS
1. Erosion
Answer process in which, by the actions of wind and/or water, soil particles detached and
transported
2. Sediment
Answer eroded material suspended in wind or water
3. Sedimentation
Answer deposition of eroded material
4. Types of Erosion
Answer splash sheet
rill
gully
channel
5. Splash erosion
Answer raindrop impact energy is enough to dislodge surface sediments
6. 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
7. Rill Erosion
Answer as flow concentrates, small channels begin to form in the soil surface
8. Gully Erosion
Answer Formed when runoff cuts rills deeper and wider or when flows from several rills come together
and form a large channels
9. Channel Erosion
Answer may become unstable due to increased flows or changes in upstream sediment load
10. Natural erosion
Answer generally considered due to the influences of climate on the surface of the earth
11. Accelerated erosion
Answer natural erosion plus human activities
12. What problems can accelerated erosion cause?
Answer Unrestricted development removal of surface cover
increased
imperviousness poor
stewardship
,13. 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
14. 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
15. Suspended material
Answer sediment can affect light penetration, channel stability, fisheries and habitat
16. Name Off stream damages
Answer Increased flood hazards increased water
treatment costs
decreased capacity in conveyance facilities
higher infrastructure maintenance costs
, 17. What has increased the amount of impervious surface in our
watersheds?
Answer -
Urbanization and development
18. priority pollutants include
Answer nutrients pathogens
heavy metals
toxics
sediment
salts
detergents
hydro carbons
19. 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
20. Section 401
Answer water quality certification
requires applicant, including any construction or operation of a facility, to obtain certification to discharge ANY
