This activity examines many of the reasons why it is important to construct large dams, specifically, the three major dams across the Gunnison River leading into Black Canyon (Colorado). The importance of the dams for irrigation, electrical supply and recreation throughout history is explored. Students will learn about the different types of dam constructions, with pros and cons for each. There is ... Full description.

The materials presented here help make the case for water conservation by residential water users. Users can study conservation tips, suggestions for leak detection and repair, and learn about program services provided by the Portland Water Bureau such as cash incentives for buying water-saving appliances, a request form for ordering conservation devices, and community events and workshops. Though ... Full description.

Until very recently, planetary scientists had thought that Mars is a cold, dry planet. Then in the summer of 2000, NASA released images from the Mars Global Surveyor showing evidence of very recent seepage of ground water from crater and valley slopes in the planet's southern hemisphere. It seems that substantial reservoirs of the water that once may have run so copiously on the surface may still ... Full description.

As part of this lesson plan, students will be asked to read a news article and to construct and explain theories for the decline of the water level of the Great Lakes. They should be able to locate the Great Lakes on a map, compare them to lakes in other parts of the world, hypothesize what might happen in the short term if global temperatures continue to rise, and to consider these seemingly contradictory ... Full description.

Students investigate the importance of water historically and in their daily lives and examine the nature of water as a limited resource. Working in groups, they will list the various uses of water, discuss why water is a limited resource, research technological systems that are intended to use water as productively as possible, and create "How It Works" posters for presentation to the class. The ... Full description.

Flowing water from rivers and streams is a valuable and plentiful energy resource that people learned to use centuries ago to operate the machinery that was important to their livelihoods. This page features diagrams (some animated) that show the three main principles of water; various types of water wheels; and the modern hydroelectric turbine. There are also animations of various types of mills ... Full description.

This community education initiative supports the efforts of Native American tribal leaders, educators, and students to develop contemporary, scientifically accurate, and culturally sensitive water education resources, programs, and networking opportunities. A traveling exhibit provides a Native American point of view on protection and conservation of water resources. A teachers' guide is provided ... Full description.

This site offers information and hands-on activities to demonstrate how our rivers become polluted. Different types of pollutants and the mechanisms by which they can reach our rivers are documented. Ideas for classroom discussions about identifying and removing pollutants are also presented. Full description.

In this lesson students explore the impacts of concentrated development and sprawl on water quality and land use. The concept of a watershed is introduced, along with information on basins and tributaries and the impacts of growth and nitrogen loading. The students are able to develop a plan to reduce nitrogen runoff to a targeted level. Several handouts and maps are included. Full description.

Instructions are provided for a classroom activity designing posters about river protection and conservation. The students will learn five things they can do to protect rivers in their area, and then will have the opportunity to create a poster based on these concepts. Full description.