LEQ: Where is the land area that supplies runoff to the Susquehanna River Watershed, and where does all that water drain? Key Terms: Headwaters, tributary, confluence, mouth watershed, sub-basin.

Headwaters The small streams near the source or beginning of a river system. The small streams near the source or beginning of a river system. Always in the highest elevations of the watershed and flow toward the lower elevations. Always in the highest elevations of the watershed and flow toward the lower elevations. Are the streams in the watershed which are closest to the watershed’s divide. Are the streams in the watershed which are closest to the watershed’s divide. Can flow in any compass direction. Can flow in any compass direction. Join together to form larger streams. Join together to form larger streams.

Stream Order All of the streams in the diagram of the watershed below labeled as 1 are headwaters of the river system. All of the streams in the diagram of the watershed below labeled as 1 are headwaters of the river system.

Tributary The smaller streams and rivers that flow into a main river system. The smaller streams and rivers that flow into a main river system. Always flow from higher elevations to lower elevations. Always flow from higher elevations to lower elevations. Are part of a watershed. Are part of a watershed. Can join together before they reach the main river in the system. Can join together before they reach the main river in the system. The location where 2 streams or rivers come together is called a confluence. The location where 2 streams or rivers come together is called a confluence.confluence

Stream Order All of the streams in the diagram of the watershed below labeled as 1, or 2 are tributaries of the river system. All of the streams in the diagram of the watershed below labeled as 1, or 2 are tributaries of the river system.

Mouth The point where the main river system flows into a larger body of water. The point where the main river system flows into a larger body of water. All of the water (and everything flowing along with the water) from the main river system flows into the larger body of water. All of the water (and everything flowing along with the water) from the main river system flows into the larger body of water. The larger body of water can be a larger river, a lake, a bay, a sea, or the ocean. The larger body of water can be a larger river, a lake, a bay, a sea, or the ocean. Always located at the lowest elevation of the watershed. Always located at the lowest elevation of the watershed.

Stream Order The mouth of the river system is labeled below. The mouth of the river system is labeled below. Mouth

Watersheds Can be different sizes. Can be different sizes. Can include only a few headwater streams, tributaries, and a small main stream. Can include only a few headwater streams, tributaries, and a small main stream. Small watersheds can be part of even a larger watershed. Small watersheds can be part of even a larger watershed. If part of a larger watershed, the smaller watershed is referred to as a or sub-basin. If part of a larger watershed, the smaller watershed is referred to as a or sub-basin. The drainage point of the sub-basin is located at the confluence where the tributary meets another tributary of the main stream, or the main stream of the larger watershed. The drainage point of the sub-basin is located at the confluence where the tributary meets another tributary of the main stream, or the main stream of the larger watershed.

Susquehanna River Watershed All of us in Central Pennsylvania live in the Susquehanna River Watershed. All of us in Central Pennsylvania live in the Susquehanna River Watershed. Like any watershed, the Susquehanna River Watershed has: Like any watershed, the Susquehanna River Watershed has: Headwaters Headwaters Tributaries Tributaries A mouth A mouth The Susquehanna River Watershed is a very large watershed that drains a very large area of land. Because it is so large, it has many sub-basins. The Susquehanna River Watershed is a very large watershed that drains a very large area of land. Because it is so large, it has many sub-basins.

Susquehanna River Basin We will be using the internet to do our map study of the Susquehanna River Basin. We will be using the internet to do our map study of the Susquehanna River Basin. You will be given a worksheet to complete. You will be given a worksheet to complete.worksheet To complete the worksheet, you will need to surf and use your internet research skills on the following website: To complete the worksheet, you will need to surf and use your internet research skills on the following website: Susquehanna River Basin Map Gallery Susquehanna River Basin Map Gallery Susquehanna River Basin Map Gallery Susquehanna River Basin Map Gallery