What would be the expected result of increased urbanization on runoff coefficients?

What would be the expected result of increased urbanization on runoff coefficients?

• A. A. Increase in vegetation
• B. B. Decrease in impervious surfaces
• C. C. Increase in runoff coefficients
• D. D. Greater infiltration rates

Answer: (C)

Increased urbanization typically leads to the expansion of impervious surfaces such as roads, buildings, and parking lots. These surfaces prevent water from infiltrating into the ground, which results in a higher volume of surface runoff during rainfall events. Runoff coefficients are used to quantify the amount of rainfall that becomes runoff; they are higher for impervious surfaces compared to vegetated areas where water can infiltrate. As urban areas develop, the natural landscape is altered, and the added impervious surfaces increase the runoff coefficient. This means a greater proportion of rainfall will run off rather than filter into the soil. Hence, with urbanization, one would expect an increase in runoff coefficients due to the reduction in areas where water can infiltrate. Therefore, the correct answer points to the expectation that increased urbanization leads to an increase in runoff coefficients, reflecting the significant hydrological changes associated with urban development.

Increased urbanization typically leads to the expansion of impervious surfaces such as roads, buildings, and parking lots. These surfaces prevent water from infiltrating into the ground, which results in a higher volume of surface runoff during rainfall events. Runoff coefficients are used to quantify the amount of rainfall that becomes runoff; they are higher for impervious surfaces compared to vegetated areas where water can infiltrate.

As urban areas develop, the natural landscape is altered, and the added impervious surfaces increase the runoff coefficient. This means a greater proportion of rainfall will run off rather than filter into the soil. Hence, with urbanization, one would expect an increase in runoff coefficients due to the reduction in areas where water can infiltrate.

Therefore, the correct answer points to the expectation that increased urbanization leads to an increase in runoff coefficients, reflecting the significant hydrological changes associated with urban development.