WATERSHEDS pg 163WATERSHEDS pg 163

Produced by the COMET® Program in partnership withthe National Environmental Education Foundation

Connecting Weather to Connecting Weather to the Environmentthe Environment

Student Expectation

•Model the effects of human activity on groundwater and surface water in a watershed.

What is a watershed?What is a watershed?A watershed is an area of land from A watershed is an area of land from which all runoff drains, or which all runoff drains, or ''shedssheds'' to to the same river, lake, or other body of the same river, lake, or other body of water.water.

Everyone lives in a watershedEveryone lives in a watershed

Your own backyard is part of a watershed.

You’re already in You’re already in one!one!

You don’t need to visit the Grand You don’t need to visit the Grand Canyon to see a watershed.Canyon to see a watershed.

The System of WatershedsThe System of Watersheds

Each is part of a larger Each is part of a larger picture or mosaic.picture or mosaic.

Watersheds are like pieces of Watersheds are like pieces of a puzzle:a puzzle:

A Nested SystemA Nested SystemWatersheds are also like Russian Watersheds are also like Russian MatryoshkaMatryoshka or nesting dolls. or nesting dolls. Larger Larger watersheds contain smaller watersheds contain smaller watersheds, which contain even watersheds, which contain even smaller ones.smaller ones.

Watershed AddressesWatershed AddressesJust as our homes have street Just as our homes have street addresses, our neighborhood addresses, our neighborhood watersheds have environmental watersheds have environmental addresses.addresses.

(Saginaw) Watershed Address(Saginaw) Watershed Address

Resources for finding your watershed:Resources for finding your watershed:USGS Science in Your Watershed: water.usgs.gov/wscUSGS Science in Your Watershed: water.usgs.gov/wscEPA Surf Your Watershed: www.epa.gov/surf EPA Surf Your Watershed: www.epa.gov/surf

Where does our water come Where does our water come from?from?

EvaporationEvaporation

Ocean StorageOcean Storage Groundwater flow to oceans

Groundwater flow to oceans

AquifersAquifers

Infiltration into the ground

Infiltration into the ground

SpringsSpringsStreams and riversStreams and rivers

CondensationCondensationPrecipitationPrecipitation

LakesLakes

SnowmeltSnowmelt

All of our freshwater starts as precipitation, All of our freshwater starts as precipitation, which moves continually through the which moves continually through the hydrologic cycle.hydrologic cycle.

The Surface-Groundwater The Surface-Groundwater SystemSystem

Surface and underground water bodies form an inter-Surface and underground water bodies form an inter-connected system. connected system. Surface water recharges Surface water recharges groundwater storage.groundwater storage.Groundwater also flows up into surface water Groundwater also flows up into surface water

bodies.bodies.

Drinking Water SourcesDrinking Water SourcesMost water Most water systemssystems (80%) (80%) in the U.S. use a in the U.S. use a ground water ground water source for source for drinking water, drinking water, but the but the majority majority of the of the populationpopulation (66%) are (66%) are served by served by surface water surface water sources.sources.

(Fort Worth(top) / Saginaw (Fort Worth(top) / Saginaw (bottom)) Drinking Water(bottom)) Drinking Water

Visit Visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/index.hthttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/index.htmlmlIs it surface water or groundwater?Is it surface water or groundwater?

Weather & Watersheds: RainWeather & Watersheds: RainWhat is the most common What is the most common cause of pollution in streams, cause of pollution in streams, rivers, and oceans?rivers, and oceans?

1. Dumping of garbage by cities2. Surface water running off

yards, streets, paved lots, and farm

fields3. Trash washed into the ocean

from beaches4. Waste dumped by factories

Sources of PollutionSources of PollutionPrecipitation runoff from farms, lawns, and paved Precipitation runoff from farms, lawns, and paved surfaces is the leading source of water pollution in surfaces is the leading source of water pollution in America today.America today.

What’s in the water?What’s in the water?

Main pollutants:•Fertilizers•Herbicides•Insecticides•Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban areas•Sediment•Road Salt•Bacteria and Nitrogen•Air pollutants

Urban FloodingUrban FloodingBecause urban Because urban watersheds watersheds contain so contain so many paved many paved surfaces…surfaces…Less water Less water goes into the goes into the ground, and…ground, and…

More heads More heads for the for the nearest nearest stream or low-stream or low-lying area.lying area.

“Fracking” - Good Idea?

• Some reports state that with closely watched regulation, there is no greater risk to the environment than normal oil drilling

• Provide increased revenue ($$) for states and local governments

• Provide needed employment of well paying jobs

• Helps US get closer to “energy independence” or not importing fuels from other countries

“Fracking” – Bad Idea?

• Chemicals (some that cause cancer) are being pumped into the ground through pipes that run through our fresh water

• The drilling industry is currently exempt from the 2005 Safe Drinking Water Act (they don’t have to tell the public what they are pumping into the ground)

• There is a constant push for decreased government regulation

• Some reports state that farm animals have become very sick

• Risk of leaked gas like methane• Increased risk of earthquakes

“Fracking” – Both good and bad ?

There are clear benefits to fracking, but there are clear risks that can result in long term harm that include dangers to people and the environment.

Scientific studies are currently ongoing in the U.S. and should be concluded in 2014, giving states and local governments a better idea of the risks involved.

Early reports emphasize closely monitored regulation of this new technology to ensure safety.

Weather & Watersheds: DroughtWeather & Watersheds: Drought

1. Reduced soil moisture (plant stress)

2. Reduced water levels in lakes, reservoirs, wetlands

4. Groundwater depletion, land subsidence

3. Reduced water flow in streams, rivers, springs

5. Water quality problems

How can drought impact a How can drought impact a watershed?watershed?

Drought in Your AreaDrought in Your Area

Is your area experiencing drought?Is your area experiencing drought?

Resources:Resources:U.S. Drought Monitor - http://drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.htmlU.S. Drought Monitor - http://drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html

Click on your state for a close-up view of drought stages.Click on your state for a close-up view of drought stages.

Protecting Watersheds: Protecting Watersheds: What You Can Do EverydayWhat You Can Do Everyday

Simple Ways to Protect Your Simple Ways to Protect Your WatershedWatershed

• Don’t Dump or LitterDon’t Dump or Litter• Water and Landscape WiselyWater and Landscape Wisely• Control the FlowControl the Flow• Pick up After RoverPick up After Rover• Fix that LeakFix that Leak• Participate in a CleanupParticipate in a Cleanup

Video: “After the Strom” (21min)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fIXhs6DzIE