WATERSHEDS pg 163

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WATERSHEDS pg 163

• Connecting Weather to the Environment

Produced by the COMET Program in partnership
with the National Environmental Education
Foundation
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Student Expectation

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

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What is a watershed?

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

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Everyone lives in a watershed

• You dont need to visit the Grand Canyon to see a
  watershed.

Youre already in one!
Your own backyard is part of a watershed.
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The System of Watersheds

• Watersheds are like pieces of a puzzle

Each is part of a larger picture or
mosaic.
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A Nested System

• Watersheds are also like Russian Matryoshka or
  nesting dolls. Larger watersheds contain smaller
  watersheds, which contain even smaller ones.

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Watershed Addresses

• Just as our homes have street addresses, our
  neighborhood watersheds have environmental
  addresses.

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(Saginaw) Watershed Address

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

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Where does our water come from?

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

Condensation
Precipitation
Snowmelt
Springs
Infiltration into the ground
Streams and rivers
Lakes
Evaporation
Aquifers
Ocean Storage
Groundwater flow to oceans
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The Surface-Groundwater System

• Surface and underground water bodies form an
  inter-connected system. Surface water recharges
  groundwater storage.

Groundwater also flows up into surface water
bodies.
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Drinking Water Sources

• Most water systems (80) in the U.S. use a ground
  water source for drinking water, but the majority
  of the population (66) are served by surface
  water sources.

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

• Visit http//www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/index.ht
  ml
• Is it surface water or groundwater?

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Weather Watersheds Rain

• What is the most common cause of pollution in
  streams, rivers, and oceans?

• Dumping of garbage by cities
• Surface water running off yards, streets,
  paved lots, and farm fields
• Trash washed into the ocean from beaches
• Waste dumped by factories

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Sources of Pollution

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

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Whats in the water?

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

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Urban Flooding

• Because urban watersheds contain so many paved
  surfaces

Less water goes into the ground, and More heads
for the nearest stream or low-lying area.
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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

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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 dont 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

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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.
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Weather Watersheds Drought

• How can drought impact a watershed?

1. Reduced soil moisture (plant stress)
2. Reduced water levels in lakes, reservoirs,
wetlands
3. Reduced water flow in streams, rivers,
springs
4. Groundwater depletion, land subsidence
5. Water quality problems
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Drought in Your Area

• Is your area experiencing drought?
• Resources
• U.S. Drought Monitor - http//drought.unl.edu/dm/m
  onitor.html
• Click on your state for a close-up view of
  drought stages.

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Protecting Watersheds What You Can Do Everyday

• Simple Ways to Protect Your Watershed
• Dont Dump or Litter
• Water and Landscape Wisely
• Control the Flow
• Pick up After Rover
• Fix that Leak
• Participate in a Cleanup

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Video After the Strom (21min)

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?v0fIXhs6DzIE