Surfing the Watershed

These activities, “Surfing the Watershed – Activity 1” and Envirofacts Warehouse – Activity 2”, introduce interactive exploration of a watershed. Through the EPA links provided, a wealth of data is available that will help you visualize drainage patterns, zoom in or out of an area depending upon the desired detail, locate businesses that discharge pollutants into the environment and examine water quality data already collected. “Surfing the Watershed” focuses on location and feature names. Its follow-up, called “Envirofacts Warehouse”, walks you through the vast store of water quality data – from the businesses that discharge into the environment to the current understanding of the impact of those substances on the environment. These activities were created for the Biology 2 classes at Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville, IL. They have been written in the hope that anyone can use them to investigate an area of interest. The examples given in Italics are those specific to the Althoff curriculum. If you are using this with your students, then make a copy. Then go through the research placing the stream or river and other locations specific to your area. Sarah Newton, environmental science teacher.

Surfing Your Watershed – Activity 1
Envirofacts Warehouse – Activity 2