Water Distribution
What percentage of Earth's water is freshwater?
About 3%
What is a watershed?
An area of land where all water drains to a common point
What is a riparian area?
The area along the edge of a river or stream
What is stream flow?
The movement of water in a river or stream
What is point source pollution?
Pollution from a single, identifiable source (e.g., a pipe)
Where is most of Earth’s freshwater stored?
In glaciers and ice caps
Why do we monitor watersheds?
To ensure water quality and manage resources
Why are riparian areas important?
They protect water quality and provide habitat
What’s the difference between natural and managed flow?
Natural = natural cycle; Managed = controlled by humans (dams)
What is non-point source pollution?
Pollution from many sources, like runoff from streets
Name two uses of freshwater in our world.
Drinking, agriculture, sanitation, recreation, etc.
Name one major watershed in Alberta.
Bow River watershed
What might damage a riparian area?
Overgrazing, pollution, construction
Where does erosion occur in a river?
On the outside of a curve
What is an aquifer?
A layer of rock or sediment that holds groundwater
Why is water considered a finite resource?
It cycles through the Earth but isn’t being made anew.
What’s the difference between a watershed and a drainage basin?
They are the same concept with different terms
How do riparian zones reduce flooding?
They absorb and slow water runoff
Where does deposition occur in a river?
On the inside of a curve
What is the water table?
The upper level of groundwater
What’s the order of freshwater distribution from greatest to least?
Glaciers > Groundwater > Surface water (lakes, rivers)
How can human activity affect a watershed?
Pollution, deforestation, urban development
How do riparian zones support biodiversity?
They offer shelter, food, and breeding grounds
How do human activities change stream flow?
Dams, channeling, water diversion
Why is groundwater pollution hard to fix?
It spreads slowly and is hard to remove or treat