How can urban development impact waterways?

Urban development significantly impacts waterways primarily because it often leads to the increase of impervious surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and buildings. These impervious surfaces prevent water from seeping into the ground, which means that when it rains, more water runs off into drainage systems and waterways rather than being absorbed by the soil. This increased runoff can lead to a number of negative consequences for waterways, including higher volumes of stormwater, flushing pollutants and sediments into the water, and contributing to erosion and degradation of aquatic habitats.

In contrast, while enhancing natural habitats or creating wetlands can be beneficial, such actions are not typical outcomes of urban development. Instead, urbanization frequently disrupts existing natural habitats and reduces the overall capacity of the land to manage water naturally. Therefore, the increase in impervious surfaces is the most direct and impactful consequence of urban development on waterways, leading to significant environmental challenges that need to be managed.