Part Three
The Continental Divide
STEP ONE
Using your knowledge about rivers, watersheds and topography, estimate where you think the Continental Divide is in Colorado.
Spend some time really determining where this divide is in our state.
Spend some time really determining where this divide is in our state.
After you have estimated the location of the Continental Divide in Colorado, click on the '3' below the map. The red line is the location of the Continental Divide. How close were you? If your guess was wrong, do you see why it is where it is?
STEP TWORead this short reading with the following questions in mind while you read:
* What is the Continental Divide? * How does the Continental Divide relate to watersheds? |
SYNTHESIZE
You will hear often that approximately 80% of all the precipitation in Colorado falls on the western side of the Divide while only about 20% falls on the eastern side of the Divide. Using your new knowledge about watersheds and the Continental Divide, write a short paragraph to explain why this is true.