Watershed Basics
What is a watershed?
An area of land where all water drains to the same body of water.
Pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source such as a pipe or factory is called what?
Point-source pollution
What two types of water mix in the Chesapeake Bay?
Freshwater and saltwater
What does pH measure in water?
How acidic or basic the water is
Are rocks and sunlight biotic or abiotic factors?
Abiotic
What do we call smaller streams that flow into a main river?
Tributaries
Give one example of non-point source pollution.
Runoff from farms, parking lots, or lawns
The Chesapeake Bay is an example of what type of water body?
Estuary
What happens to dissolved oxygen as water temperature increases?
It decreases
What role do wetlands play in a watershed?
They act as natural filters that trap pollutants and slow runoff
Which Virginia watershed is the largest?
Chesapeake Bay Watershed
A town builds more roads and stores along a river. What human impact will most likely increase?
Runoff and pollution entering the watershed
Why is the Chesapeake Bay important to Virginia?
It supports many species and provides economic and recreational benefits.
Which indicator tells how clear or cloudy water is?
Turbidity
How do soil and temperature affect a watershed?
They determine what plants and animals can survive
What direction does water always flow within a watershed?
Downhill (from higher to lower elevation)
What might happen if farmland is turned into parking lots?
More runoff and less water soaking into the ground
Which major rivers drain into the Chesapeake Bay?
Rappahannock, James, York, and Potomac Rivers
If a stream has high nitrates and low oxygen, what might you find there?
Algae blooms and fewer fish
Why are wetlands often compared to coffee filters?
They clean water by trapping sediment and nutrients
If oil is spilled in a creek within the James River watershed, which major body of water will be affected?
The Chesapeake Bay
Fertilizer runoff causes algae to grow quickly. What is the name of this harmful process?
Eutrophication
What could happen if more nutrients and sediments enter the Bay?
Water quality decreases and aquatic life suffers
A forest stream has clear water, low pollutants, and high oxygen. What can you conclude about its water quality?
It has good or excellent water quality
What would happen if wetlands were filled in or paved over?
Water pollution and flooding would increase