What is a potential offstream damage caused by increased sediment?

Increased sediment can lead to higher infrastructure maintenance costs due to its tendency to accumulate in channels, pipes, and other conveyance systems. As sediment builds up, these systems can become less effective at managing water flow, which may lead to erosion, blockages, and other issues requiring additional upkeep and repair. This not only disrupts normal water management operations but also compels municipalities and organizations to invest more resources into regular maintenance, cleaning, and potentially redesigning infrastructure to accommodate the increased sediment load.

The other options do not accurately reflect the potential offstream damage caused by increased sediment. For example, decreased flood hazards and increased capacity in conveyance facilities imply improvements and are generally not associated with sediment accumulation. Similarly, lower water treatment costs suggest a decrease in the treatment needed, which contradicts the reality that higher sediment often requires more intensive filtering and treatment efforts to ensure water quality.