Which term describes the highest rate of water flow in a river during a flood?

Which term describes the highest rate of water flow in a river during a flood?

• A. Base Flow
• B. Lag Time
• C. Catchment
• D. Peak Discharge

Answer: (D)

Discharge is the amount of water flowing past a point in a river per second. During a flood, this value rises as rainfall and runoff add water to the river. The highest rate of flow reached is the peak discharge, the maximum point on the flood hydrograph. After the rain stops, discharge falls along the decreasing limb. Base flow is the normal, non-flood level sustained by groundwater; lag time is the delay between rainfall and the discharge peak; catchment refers to the entire drainage area feeding the river. So the term that describes the highest rate of water flow in a river during a flood is peak discharge. (Measured in units like cubic meters per second.)

Discharge is the amount of water flowing past a point in a river per second. During a flood, this value rises as rainfall and runoff add water to the river. The highest rate of flow reached is the peak discharge, the maximum point on the flood hydrograph. After the rain stops, discharge falls along the decreasing limb. Base flow is the normal, non-flood level sustained by groundwater; lag time is the delay between rainfall and the discharge peak; catchment refers to the entire drainage area feeding the river. So the term that describes the highest rate of water flow in a river during a flood is peak discharge. (Measured in units like cubic meters per second.)