Urban areas can absorb as much rainfall as a wooded area or grassy field. True or false?

Answer: False. A wooded area or a grassy field is able to absorb up to 5 times as much rainfall as an urban area. Much of the urban area is covered with impervious surfaces such as paved parking lots, rooftops, driveways, streets and sidewalks. Much of the rainfall can not be absorbed and instead runs across the ground in the form of stormwater runoff until it discharges directly into a storm drain and eventually into local waterways.

Show All Answers

1. Urban areas can absorb as much rainfall as a wooded area or grassy field. True or false?
2. Storm drains and the stormwater sewer system carries stormwater runoff to the local wastewater treatment facility for treatment before it is discharged to local lakes and waterways. True or false?
3. Which of the following are signs of stormwater pollution? A) Cloudy water B) Algae blooms C) Fish kills D) Oily sheen E) Foul odors F) All of the above
4. Which of the following are part of the storm drain system? A) Streams, lakes and ponds B) Ditches and culverts C) Yards, streets, curbs and gutters D) Storm drains and catch basins E) All of the above
5. The stormwater runoff from your backyard flows to which of the following water bodies? A) Coon Creek B) Elk Fork of the Salt River C) Sweet Springs Creek D) Sugar Creek, Sugar Lake