Watershed Lab Summary

Watershed Lab Overview

• Examines water flow into specific land areas using a simple model.

• Key factors: pollution, sediments, river/stream locations, forests.

Materials Needed

• Markers (washable and permanent).

• Cotton balls or felt to simulate watershed features.

• Water source (bottle).

Model Construction

• Use blue marker to identify high points (e.g., mountains, Continental Divide).

• Mark pesticide/fertilizer areas in red.

• Mark toxic waste sites in orange.

• Use permanent marker for rivers and streams, tracing creases in the model.

Impact of Vegetation

• Use felt pieces to represent trees and forests, observing their effect on water runoff.

Observation Focus

• Assess how pollutants migrate during simulated rainfall.

• Compare areas with and without forest cover regarding runoff behavior.

Conclusion Points

• Forests may reduce pollutant movement.

• Water flows influenced by terrain and vegetation.

• Importance of watershed management in pollution control.