Which term refers to a tidal water bed or channel where water is brackish or stagnant?

• A. Arroyo
• B. River
• C. Estero
• D. Creek

Answer: (C)

The term describes a tidal water bed or channel where the water becomes brackish or stagnant. An estero is a coastal or tidal watercourse where seawater mixes with freshwater, creating brackish conditions, and it can become stagnant if flow is limited. This sets it apart from a river or creek, which are typically freshwater channels, and from an arroyo, which is usually a dry or seasonally dry gully rather than a tidal, brackish channel. In many contexts, especially in coastal regions, esteros are these tidal drainage channels that can be influenced by tides and sedimentation, leading to brackish or slow-moving water.