Freshwater 101
All water can be divided into … Saltwater vs. Freshwater Saltwater: Saltwater: Salinity is around 2.7% salt (NaCl) Freshwater 101:
Standing Water: Open Water wholly aquatic Ponds & lakes Wetlands partly terrestrial Marsh, Carr, swamp, bog, fen
Freshwater 101: Flowing Water: Water on the move; following gravity from rain water to ground water to waterways, eventually to a lake or to the ocean. Along the way: Brooks / Creeks Streams Rivers Lakes / Oceans
The Water Cycle: Processes We Should Know: Processes We Should Know: Evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration.
The Water Cycle: Water Table: Water Table: the top of the water surface in the saturated part of an aquifer Runoff: Runoff: water that travels across the land surface to rivers, lakes and the ocean Surface Water: Surface Water: Water that does not infiltrate soil (lakes, streams, wetlands, etc.)
The Water Cycle:
Watersheds: A geographic area in which all water running off the land drains to a specific location: creek, river, stream.
Drainage Basins: A large-scale watershed
Drainage Basins of Southern Ontario:
Watersheds: (con’t) Stream Order: Stream Order: Streams are classified by their tributaries First Order: First Order:No tributaries Second Order: Second Order:two 1 st order streams merge Third Order: Third Order:two 2 nd order streams merge
Watersheds: (con’t) Why is it crucial to take a “watershed approach” when investigating water- based issues? Who should be involved in decisions about watersheds? The End!!