Certified Storm Water Operator Practice Exam

In site assessments, which aspect pertains to physical terrain?

1. Climate

2. Soil

3. Slopes

4. Site accessibility

The correct answer is: Slopes

The aspect that pertains to physical terrain in site assessments is slopes. Slopes refer to the gradient or angle of the land, which can significantly influence water drainage patterns, erosion potential, and overall site stability. The steepness or gradualness of slopes plays a critical role in determining how stormwater flows across the landscape, which is essential for effective stormwater management. Understanding the topography of a site helps in planning for proper drainage systems and mitigating flood risks. While climate, soil, and site accessibility are also important factors in overall site assessments, they do not specifically represent the physical characteristics of the terrain itself as directly as slopes do. Climate concerns weather conditions over time, soil pertains to the ground composition and its ability to absorb water, and site accessibility focuses on how easily one can enter and navigate the site. None of these factors encapsulate the physical landscape features in the same way that slopes do.