Main idea

Every surface water body has its watershed or basin, which is an area from which all runoff water drains into that body. Watersheds of smaller rivers or streams form watersheds of larger rivers, lakes, or lagoons.

Goal

To introduce and to demonstrate a river watershed concept using a simple model, and to introduce basic terms connected to a river watershed or river basin concept.

Concepts

river, stream → river basin or river watershed → ridgeline / water divide; runoff, tributary; upstream, downstream;

Introduction: Rivers and Streams

Use the analogy of tree branches or veins of landscapes to explain the river basin or the river watershed before you actually define it within an experiment:

  • Look at a tree: the trunk of a tree holds several large branches; each of them holds many smaller ..
  • The river system is similar to a tree…
  • From where does a river get its water? How water can be lost?
  • Why and how does freshwater turn into salt water?

Activities in this lesson

A Water Cycle
1.1.1
Subject: Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Physics
Age group: All, 4 - 6, 7 - 9, 10 - 12, 13 and up
Type of activity: Debate, Competition
Number of participants: Individual, Paired
A river watershed model
1.1.2
Subject: Art and craft, Biology, Geography, Physics
Age group: All, 4 - 6, 7 - 9, 10 - 12, 13 and up
Type of activity: Experiment, Fun activitiy
Number of participants: Team
Spreading pollution through a river basin
1.1.3
Subject: Art and craft, Geography, Health care and recreation, Language, Social skills
Age group: 10 - 12, 13 and up
Type of activity: Fun activitiy
Number of participants: Team
A river watershed game
1.1.4
Subject: Social skills
Age group: All, 4 - 6, 7 - 9, 10 - 12, 13 and up
Type of activity: Experiment, Fun activitiy
Number of participants: Paired, Team

Discussion: A River Basin

Start a discussion with clarifying the basic concepts related to river basins.

  • What is a river basin?
  • What is water divide?
  • What do the concepts upstream and downstream mean?