What type of load consists of the rock material from overland flow added to a stream?

• A. Bedload
• B. Suspended load
• C. Stream load
• D. Dissolved load

Answer: (C)

The type of load that consists of rock material from overland flow added to a stream is referred to as stream load. This term encompasses all materials transported by the stream, including sediments, rocks, and organic matter that are carried into the water body from surrounding land due to surface runoff.

Understanding stream load is crucial because it includes both sediments that are carried along the riverbed and those that are suspended in the water column. The presence of overland flow contributes significantly to the total sediment transport by the stream, influencing the river's morphology and ecological conditions.

While bedload refers specifically to heavier materials that move along the bottom of the waterway, suspended load pertains to smaller particles that remain afloat within the water column. Dissolved load consists of minerals and nutrients that are fully dissolved in the water, rather than being present as solid material. Stream load, therefore, accurately captures the full spectrum of materials introduced to the stream from various sources, including overland flow.