2.3.2b Watersheds and River Systems Explain river systems including NC river basins, aquifers, and watersheds.

Hydrology What is a Hydrology- It is the branch of applied sciences which deals with the measurement and description of the physical features of oceans, seas, coastal areas, lakes and rivers, as well as with the prediction of their change over time

Drainage Basin/Watershed A drainage basin or watershed is an area of land where surface water from rain , melting snow or ice comes together at a single point of lower elevation, where the waters join another body of water, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean. Remember water always flows from high elevation to low elevation.

Drainage Basin/Watershed High Elevation High Elevation High Elevation Low elevation Low Elevation

Divide The drainage basin includes both the streams and rivers that carry the water, as well as the land surfaces that drains the water into those channels. It is separated from adjacent basins by a divide. A divide is the highest points between 2 or more drainage basins. Mountain ridges or other high point are often a divide.

Continental Divide The Continental Divide , or the Great Divide, is the principal, hydrological divide of the Americas. The Continental Divide separates the watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean from those river systems that drain into the Atlantic Ocean .

The Continental Divide

NC River Basins Activity Read the brochure about one of the 17 river basins in NC. Answer the following questions: Where is the river basin? How many miles of streams and rivers are included in the basin? How many people live in the basin? Describe the river basin (at least 5 more sentences) Describe an environmental issue in the basin and what is being done about it (at least 5 sentences)