Watershed Vocabulary

Front

What is a watershed?

Back

A watershed is an area of land where water drains downhill to the lowest point.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

What is surface water?

Back

Surface water is water that collects on the surface, such as ponds, lakes, and run-off.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

Where is groundwater held?

Back

Groundwater is held in an aquifer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Front

What is Point Source Pollution (PSP)?

Back

Point Source Pollution is when you can trace the pollution directly back to its source.

Front

What is non-point source pollution?

Back

Non-point source pollution is pollution that comes from multiple, diffuse sources and is not easily traced to a single point.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Front

What is an aquifer?

Back

An aquifer is a geological formation that can store and transmit groundwater.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

What is eutrophication?

Back

Eutrophication is the process by which water bodies become enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Front

What is riparian zone?

Back

A riparian zone is the interface between land and a river or stream, which is crucial for maintaining water quality.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Front

What is runoff?

Back

Runoff is water that flows over the ground surface and returns to bodies of water, often carrying pollutants.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

What is the role of vegetation in a watershed?

Back

Vegetation helps to absorb rainfall, reduce runoff, and filter pollutants from water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4