Ride the Waves of Success: 2026 Geo Reviewer Surface Water Mastery Test!

The statement that describes the flow pattern of a river that has formed natural levees is correct because of how levees impact river mechanics and floodplain dynamics. Natural levees are raised banks that form along the edges of a river due to sediment deposition during flooding events. When the river overflows its banks, the sediment settles out more quickly close to the river channel, creating these elevated areas.

As a result of this topography, when the river is in flood stage, the water spreads out over the floodplain rather than flowing in a concentrated or linear manner. This spreading is characteristic of floodplain dynamics where the water may cover a wide area but at a lower velocity than it would in the main channel. The levees help to contain and direct the flow to some extent, but they also allow for the gradual inundation of the surrounding land, leading to a slow, spreading movement of water.

In summary, the formation of natural levees significantly influences how water interacts with the landscape during flood events, leading to a flow pattern where water spreads slowly over the floodplain.