What effect does urban development have on surface water runoff?

Urban development significantly impacts surface water runoff by increasing impervious surfaces, such as roads, parking lots, and buildings. These surfaces prevent water from being absorbed into the ground, leading to greater volumes of runoff during rain events.

As natural landscapes are modified or replaced with these impervious materials, the ability of the ground to absorb rainfall diminishes. Consequently, when it rains, water flows more quickly into storm drains and nearby water bodies rather than being absorbed by the soil, ultimately raising the overall volume and speed of surface water runoff. This increased runoff can lead to issues such as flooding, erosion, and water quality degradation in nearby streams and rivers.

The other choices do not accurately represent the effects of urban development on surface water runoff; for instance, increased plant cover would typically lead to reduced runoff, while the assertion that urban development reduces the need for stormwater management overlooks the necessity of managing the increased runoff caused by impervious surfaces. Similarly, claiming no impact neglects the evident consequences of urbanization on the environment.