Raging Rivers
Students learn about riversCopyright US Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey http://toxics.usgs.gov/photo_gallery/emercont.html
Student are introduced to rivers, and to the components of the water cycle. They think about the effects of communities, sidewalks and roads on the natural flow of rainwater. Students also learn about the role of engineering in community planning and protecting our natural resources.
Rivers provide critical habitat for plants and animals as well as an important source of fresh water or power for people in many cities and towns. Engineers recognize rivers as a valuable renewable resource and design ways to protect rivers and modify the flow of rivers for human benefit. They create reservoirs for drinking water, irrigation channels for growing food, and bridges for traveling across rivers. Environmental engineers study the impacts of these modifications on plant and animal habitat as well as changing floodplains and the possibilities of pollution from human activity.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Briefly describe the water cycle and the role rivers play in the movement of water around the Earth.
- Describe the effects a sidewalk or road can have on how rainwater is soaked into the ground.
- Explain some of the ways that engineers work with communities to protect rivers and prevent floods.