Part Two
Colorado Watersheds
Inquiry Questions
* How does the land in an area affect the water in that area?
* How are watersheds characterized and defined? Materials needed for this investigation~ A sheet of paper (computer paper, notebook paper, etc. Wax paper or other “water resistant” paper will also work.
~ A water-soluble or washable marker (like Crayola, not a Sharpe or Expo). ~ Water (ideally in a spray bottle, but you can also flick water from your hand or a scrub brush if you don’t have an empty spray bottle). ~ Notebook paper to write on or another way to share your learning with your peers and/or back to your teacher. |
Investigation
STEP TWO
Build a model of a watershed:
- Lightly crumple your blank paper and open it up so there are peaks and valleys and it fits loosely in your hand.
- Mark the peaks and ridges with your water-soluble marker. If this color were to run off, where would it go? Make a dot on your model where you think the color will collect. If you have more than 1 color, you can try to identify multiple watersheds in your model.
- Spray your model (over a sink or outside) to represent precipitation.
- Make observations as the marker runs down your model. Write down what you notice and wonder about what is happening in your model.
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STEP THREEWatch the video.
After reviewing the map above and the information from the video:
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SYNTHESIZE
Using the information you have gained, answer the inquiry questions. Using as many of the following words as you can in your explanation: watershed, watershed boundary, basin, sea, river, downhill, flow, precipitation, ecosystem
- How does the land in an area affect the water in that area?
- How are watersheds characterized and defined?