The label "Disappearing Stream" corresponds to which water feature?

• A. Disappearing Stream
• B. Intermittent River
• C. Perennial River
• D. Small Falls; Small Rapids

Answer: (A)

A disappearing stream is a surface water feature that vanishes as it flows, sinking into the ground rather than continuing as visible surface water. This happens when the surrounding geology—such as highly permeable rock or karst features like sinkholes—allows water to infiltrate and move underground. On a map or label, this indicates that the stream’s flow ceases at the surface even though water may persist below ground or reappear later. This is distinct from a perennial river, which flows year-round, or an intermittent stream that dries up seasonally without necessarily disappearing into the ground. It’s also different from small falls or rapids, which are features along a channel, not about the surface flow vanishing.