What does a higher runoff coefficient indicate about a surface?

What does a higher runoff coefficient indicate about a surface?

• A. A. It absorbs more water
• B. B. It is more permeable
• C. C. It generates more runoff
• D. D. It has good drainage

Answer: (C)

A higher runoff coefficient indicates that the surface generates more runoff, which means that a larger proportion of the precipitation that falls on it does not infiltrate into the ground but instead flows over the surface. This is often associated with surfaces that are less permeable or more compacted, such as urban areas with concrete, asphalt, or other impervious materials. These surfaces tend to prevent water from being absorbed, leading to increased surface runoff during rain events. In contrast, surfaces that absorb more water or that are highly permeable, such as sandy soils or grassy fields, would have lower runoff coefficients because they allow a greater volume of water to infiltrate rather than run off. Good drainage would imply effective management of runoff, which can be a separate consideration from the raw runoff coefficient itself. Therefore, the characterization of a surface by its runoff coefficient is crucial for hydrological assessments and stormwater management strategies.

A higher runoff coefficient indicates that the surface generates more runoff, which means that a larger proportion of the precipitation that falls on it does not infiltrate into the ground but instead flows over the surface. This is often associated with surfaces that are less permeable or more compacted, such as urban areas with concrete, asphalt, or other impervious materials. These surfaces tend to prevent water from being absorbed, leading to increased surface runoff during rain events.

In contrast, surfaces that absorb more water or that are highly permeable, such as sandy soils or grassy fields, would have lower runoff coefficients because they allow a greater volume of water to infiltrate rather than run off. Good drainage would imply effective management of runoff, which can be a separate consideration from the raw runoff coefficient itself. Therefore, the characterization of a surface by its runoff coefficient is crucial for hydrological assessments and stormwater management strategies.