CE633-ENVIRONMENTAL HYDROLOGY
FALL 2009
FINAL EXAM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2008, 1900-2100

Name: __________________Red ID ___________________ Grade: ____________

Instructions: Closed book, closed notes. Use engineering paper. Please answer only 10 questions. When you are finished, staple your work in sequence, and return this sheet with your work.

  1. What is the difference between the River Continuum and the Flood Pulse concepts in river ecology? Where does the Flood Pulse apply?

  2. What is the rationale for the existence of the hummocks of the Everglades and the Pantanal of Mato Grosso? How did the early inhabitants of the Llanos de Mojos emulate Nature?

  3. Why are the Tierra del Sol residents opposed to the proposed Campo landfill? Be specific.

  4. Defend the position that the Salton Sea should be left on its own, with no intervention by society. Use the best possible argument that you can find.

  5. Why are the Tulare Lake basin farmers ill-advised? What would your recommend to help them achieve sustainability?

  6. Where did the salt that plagues the San Joaquin valley come from? What is the best possible solution to assure the sustainability of the San Joaquin valley?

  7. Who is exporting unwanted salts in Southern California? Where are the salts coming from?

  8. What distinguishes the Wellton-Mohawk project in Western Arizona from other irrigation projects?

  9. Conceptually, what amount of runoff should be reserved for drainage? Why?

  10. What is the reason why the Ojos Negros valley is called as such (Black Eyes)? How can we confirm that the name has a physical basis?

  11. What percentage of precipitation (and what percentage of recharge) is a conservative value for sustainable yield of groundwater? Why? What resource should be monitored to limit groundwater pumping?

  12. Who owns the groundwater in the United States? How are conflicts between groundwater users resolved in the United States? Why?