Hello, Readers. In an effort to give you something neutral to discuss at Thanksgiving gatherings, I give you River Trivia. You’ll find questions on hydrology, dams, locks, dredging, flood management, plus specific questions about the Ohio River in the aftermath of the Great Flood of 1937. Try them out at “the kids’ table” too.

Thanks to everyone who reached out about October ‘24 Trivia. I love knowing that something I’ve written has made you ponder. In case you missed it or would like to share it (please do!) click the link below.

Note to my fabulous new subscribers:

Monthly trivia is for sport. It’s not a test of intelligence or character. I couldn’t answer these questions without a significant amount of research, either! Do your best and enjoy learning something new. Answers in the footnotes.

QUESTIONS

* What is the term for the total amount of water flowing past a given point in a river over a specified period?a) Water Tableb) Dischargec) Runoff

* What is one primary purpose of constructing a dam on a river?a) To increase sediment transportb) To increase biodiversityc) To generate hydroelectric powerd) To prevent aquatic life migration

* What is the function of a lock in river navigation?a) To stop water from flowing downstreamb) To raise or lower ships between sections of a river with different water levelsc) To prevent fish from migrating upstream

* What is a common purpose of dredging in river management?a) To decrease sedimentation in reservoirsb) To build damsc) To create artificial lakes

* What is a common method used to reduce the impact of river flooding in urban areas?a) Channelizationb) Dredgingc) Levees and floodwallsd) Water diversion tunnels

* In the Ohio River region, certain species have experienced conservation success and are no longer listed as endangered. One notable example was removed from Ohio's endangered species list in 2012 after substantial population recovery efforts. Its resurgence is attributed to habitat protection, environmental regulations like the banning of DDT, and ongoing conservation programs. What species is this?

* Bald eagle

* Longheaded darter fish

* Red-tailed hawk

* Scioto madtom

* The Great Flood of 1937, also known as the Ohio River flood, was a catastrophic flood that occurred in late January and February of 1937. How many people were known to be killed in that cataclysmic event?

* 189

* 248

* 385

* Which of the following cities was 95% submerged during that flood?

* Louisville, Kentucky

* Jeffersonville, Indiana

* Paducah, Kentucky

* Yes or no to each option: did Franklin Delano Roosevelt visit this city in the wake of the flood?

* Cincinnati, Ohio

* Louisville, Kentucky

* Evansville, Indiana

* Paducah, Kentucky

* The Flood Control Act of 1938 authorized extensive federal investments in dams, levees, and other flood control structures. Which of the following is/are true about the Act and its outcomes?

* By constricting rivers with levees, areas on either side of the levees can see higher water levels and more destructive flooding.

* The focus on structural solutions often neglected the natural functions of floodplains, leading to habitat loss and disruption of ecosystems.

* The Act primarily targeted major river basins, leaving smaller communities and tributaries vulnerable to flooding.