Water Resources Engineering MCQs for APSC PWD & WRD JE 2025

30 Water Resources Engineering MCQs for APSC JE PWD & Water Resources 2025

Topics Covered

• Hydrology
• Irrigation Engineering
• Hydraulic Structures
• Water Supply and Distribution
• Flood Control and Drainage

Topic: Hydrology

1. What is the primary source of water for the hydrological cycle?

a) Groundwater b) Precipitation c) Surface runoff d) Evaporation

Answer: b) Precipitation
Precipitation, such as rain and snow, initiates the hydrological cycle.

Topic: Hydrology

2. Which method is commonly used to measure rainfall?

a) Tensiometer b) Rain gauge c) Lysimeter d) Piezometer

Answer: b) Rain gauge
Rain gauges directly measure the amount of rainfall at a location.

Topic: Hydrology

3. What does the term 'infiltration' refer to?

a) Water flowing into rivers b) Water seeping into the ground c) Water evaporating from soil d) Water stored in reservoirs

Answer: b) Water seeping into the ground
Infiltration is the process where water enters the soil surface.

Topic: Irrigation Engineering

4. What is the duty of irrigation water?

a) Volume of water per crop b) Area irrigated per unit volume of water c) Time to irrigate a field d) Depth of water applied

Answer: b) Area irrigated per unit volume of water
Duty is expressed as hectares per cumec, indicating irrigation efficiency.

Topic: Irrigation Engineering

5. Which irrigation method is most water-efficient?

a) Flood irrigation b) Sprinkler irrigation c) Drip irrigation d) Furrow irrigation

Answer: c) Drip irrigation
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, minimizing losses.

Topic: Irrigation Engineering

6. What is the purpose of a canal lining?

a) Increase water velocity b) Reduce seepage losses c) Prevent flooding d) Store excess water

Answer: b) Reduce seepage losses
Lining with concrete or other materials prevents water loss through canal walls.

Topic: Hydraulic Structures

7. What is the main function of a spillway in a dam?

a) Store water b) Release excess water c) Generate power d) Divert water for irrigation

Answer: b) Release excess water
Spillways prevent dam overflow by safely discharging surplus water.

Topic: Hydraulic Structures

8. Which type of weir is commonly used in rivers?

a) Vertical drop weir b) Ogee weir c) Sharp-crested weir d) Broad-crested weir

Answer: b) Ogee weir
Ogee weirs are efficient for handling large river flows with minimal energy loss.

Topic: Hydraulic Structures

9. What is the purpose of an under-sluice in a barrage?

a) Release sediment-laden water b) Store water for irrigation c) Generate electricity d) Control canal flow

Answer: a) Release sediment-laden water
Under-sluices flush out silt to prevent deposition upstream of the barrage.

Topic: Water Supply and Distribution

10. What is the primary purpose of a service reservoir?

a) Treat raw water b) Store water for distribution c) Generate hydropower d) Control floods

Answer: b) Store water for distribution
Service reservoirs ensure a steady supply to meet demand fluctuations.

Topic: Water Supply and Distribution

11. Which pipe material is corrosion-resistant?

a) Cast iron b) PVC c) Mild steel d) Galvanized iron

Answer: b) PVC
Polyvinyl chloride pipes resist corrosion, making them ideal for water supply.

Topic: Water Supply and Distribution

12. What is the dead-end system in water distribution?

a) Circular pipe network b) Single pipeline with branches c) Grid-like pipe network d) Radial pipe system

Answer: b) Single pipeline with branches
It’s economical but may cause stagnation at dead ends.

Topic: Flood Control and Drainage

13. What is the primary purpose of a levee?

a) Store water b) Prevent river flooding c) Divert water for irrigation d) Generate power

Answer: b) Prevent river flooding
Levees are embankments that contain floodwaters within riverbanks.

Topic: Flood Control and Drainage

14. What does a storm drain primarily collect?

a) Sewage b) Industrial waste c) Rainwater d) Groundwater

Answer: c) Rainwater
Storm drains manage runoff to prevent urban flooding.

Topic: Flood Control and Drainage

15. What is a retention basin used for?

a) Permanent water storage b) Temporary floodwater storage c) Irrigation supply d) Hydropower generation

Answer: b) Temporary floodwater storage
Retention basins hold runoff to reduce downstream flooding.

Topic: Hydrology

16. What is a hydrograph?

a) Map of water bodies b) Graph of river discharge over time c) Record of rainfall intensity d) Chart of groundwater levels

Answer: b) Graph of river discharge over time
It shows how river flow responds to rainfall events.

Topic: Hydrology

17. Which factor affects runoff the most?

a) Air temperature b) Soil permeability c) Wind speed d) Cloud cover

Answer: b) Soil permeability
Low permeability increases runoff by limiting infiltration.

Topic: Irrigation Engineering

18. What is the base period of a crop?

a) Time from sowing to harvesting b) Time water is applied c) Time of maximum growth d) Time between two irrigations

Answer: a) Time from sowing to harvesting
It defines the crop’s full growth duration.

Topic: Irrigation Engineering

19. What is the delta of a crop?

a) Total water required during growth b) Area irrigated c) Time of irrigation d) Crop yield

Answer: a) Total water required during growth
Delta is the depth of water needed over the crop’s base period.

Topic: Hydraulic Structures

20. What is the function of a fish ladder?

a) Prevent flooding b) Allow fish migration past dams c) Store water d) Divert water to canals

Answer: b) Allow fish migration past dams
Fish ladders provide a pathway for fish to bypass obstacles.

Topic: Hydraulic Structures

21. Which dam type is best suited for narrow valleys?

a) Earth dam b) Gravity dam c) Arch dam d) Buttress dam

Answer: c) Arch dam
Arch dams use their curved shape to transfer loads to valley walls.

Topic: Water Supply and Distribution

22. What is the purpose of a pressure-reducing valve?

a) Increase water flow b) Maintain constant pressure c) Filter water d) Store water

Answer: b) Maintain constant pressure
It prevents damage to pipes by regulating high pressure.

Topic: Water Supply and Distribution

23. What is the peak hour demand in water supply?

a) Average daily water use b) Maximum water use in a day c) Minimum water requirement d) Annual water consumption

Answer: b) Maximum water use in a day
It’s used to design pipes and reservoirs for peak usage.

Topic: Flood Control and Drainage

24. What is the purpose of a check dam?

a) Generate electricity b) Reduce soil erosion c) Store drinking water d) Divert water to canals

Answer: b) Reduce soil erosion
Check dams slow water flow to prevent erosion and recharge groundwater.

Topic: Flood Control and Drainage

25. What is the rational method used for?

a) Estimating groundwater recharge b) Calculating peak runoff c) Designing irrigation canals d) Measuring evaporation

Answer: b) Calculating peak runoff
It estimates runoff for designing drainage systems.

Topic: Hydrology

26. What is evapotranspiration?

a) Water flow in rivers b) Combined evaporation and plant transpiration c) Groundwater recharge d) Rainfall intensity

Answer: b) Combined evaporation and plant transpiration
It represents water loss from soil and plants to the atmosphere.

Topic: Irrigation Engineering

27. What is field capacity in soil?

a) Maximum water soil can hold b) Water available after drainage c) Water before irrigation d) Permanent wilting point

Answer: b) Water available after drainage
It’s the water retained in soil after excess drains away.

Topic: Hydraulic Structures

28. What is the purpose of a stilling basin?

a) Store water b) Dissipate energy of water c) Divert water to canals d) Measure water flow

Answer: b) Dissipate energy of water
It reduces the velocity of water exiting spillways to prevent erosion.

Topic: Water Supply and Distribution

29. What is the advantage of a grid-iron water distribution system?

a) Low cost b) Uniform pressure distribution c) Simple maintenance d) Single pipeline

Answer: b) Uniform pressure distribution
It ensures reliable water supply with interconnected pipes.

Topic: Flood Control and Drainage

30. What is a flood routing?

a) Diverting floodwater to canals b) Predicting floodwater movement c) Storing floodwater permanently d) Measuring rainfall intensity

Answer: b) Predicting floodwater movement
It analyzes how floodwater travels through rivers and reservoirs.