Learning about Watersheds Activity
Directions: Use the links provided to find the answers to the questions.
Use your browser's Back button or histiry feature, to return to this page. Printer version

1. What is hydrology?

 

2. Lentic ecosystems include

 

3. Lentic water systems have still waters or flowing waters. (circle the correct word.)

4. Do ALL lentic systems have fresh water? Explain

 

 

5. Lakes are classified by the way they were formed. George Hutchinson described 76 different types of lakes.
Here is a list of a few. Select two.
Write the type and how it was formed. Is this type of lake found in your state?

A. Lake Type

Formed by

Name one in your state.

 

B. Lake Type

Formed by

Name one in your state.

 

6. How many miles of flowing water are there in the U.S.?

How many miles of flowing water are in your state?

Name the flowing body of water closest to your home or school.

 

7. Write seven examples of Lotic ecosystems.

 

 

Which of these lotic ecosystem examples are found in your community?

 

8. What are the functional differences between lakes and streams?

Lakes
Streams
   
   
   

9. Watersheds are always changing.
List the Natural Agents of Change. Click to learn more about each agent.

 

 

 

10. List 5 of the human - made changes to the watershed. Click to learn more about each human made change.

 

 

11. Describe the differences between a riffle, run and pool.

 

 

 

12. Name the major watersheds in your state.

 

Which one provides your drinking water?

 

 

13. How does pollution affect public waters?

 

Use you online research skills to find out...

14. What is Limnology?

 

What kinds of studies would prepare a person to be a limnologist?

 

15. Explain the role of the water cycle within a watershed.

 

Extra Challenges:

How do we keep water on the land longer?

 

 

How does your community’s tap water rate? Use the Tap water database to obtain an answer.

 

Identify one way to protect groundwater.

 

Identify one way to damage or to waste groundwater.

 

Listen to this podcast from the USGS #78 - Man-Made Chemicals Found in Drinking Water at Low Levels

Make a prediction about the levels in your community's water.

 

Water Studies Index Water Vocabulary puzzle
The Math of Sufficient Fresh Water video project What is a watershed?
Precipitation and Population Drought Presentation
Natural Resource Wars - who will be the winner? Pathfinder Science - Stream Monitoring
Lentic or Lotic Ecosystems online activity Watershed Atlas of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers
Map Pennsylvania's waters - label Watch Water Cycle
Groundwater Water Science for Schools - USGS
Watershed Game Environmental Inquiry - Watersheds
Protecting watersheds interactive guide Observation - science skill builder- water

"When the well's dry, we know the worth of water." Benjamin Franklin

This activity is aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for “Environment and Ecology"
Watersheds and Wetlands 4.1. A: Identify various types of water environments · Lotic systems (e.g. creeks, rivers, streams) · Lentic systems (ponds, lakes, swamps) Explain the differences between moving and still water. • Identify Pennsylvania’s major watersheds and their related river systems • Explain factors that affect water quality and flow through a watershed. • Explain the role of watersheds in everyday life.

4.3. Environmental Health B. Describe how human actions affect the health of the environment. • Identify land use practices and their relation to environmental health.

It is also aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking; Science and Technology; and Geography

Internet Hunts / Nature / Computers / Pennsylvania Projects / Wetlands Unit / Puzzles & Projects / Site map / Home
All trademarks, copyright and logos belong to their respective owners.
3/2006 Cindy O'Hora All Rights Reserved. FAQ
This activity may be printed for use in a nonprofit setting.
address