What is one characteristic of intermittent streams?

Intermittent streams are defined by their flow patterns, which can be influenced by various seasonal and environmental factors. A key characteristic of intermittent streams is that they may not flow year-round, meaning that they can dry up during certain times of the year or in periods of drought. This contrasts with perennial streams, which have a continuous flow of water throughout the year.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the nature of intermittent streams. For example, stating that they always contain water is incorrect because intermittent streams experience periods of dryness. The assertion that they are larger than perennial streams does not hold true, as stream size varies independently of whether they are intermittent or perennial. Finally, the claim that they cannot be buffered is also misleading and does not pertain to their fundamental flowing characteristics. Therefore, the option highlighting that intermittent streams may not flow year-round directly captures their defining feature.