Watershed Lesson

Fill out the guided notesheet as you go through this lesson!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a floodplain in a watershed?

• A flat, low-lying area prone to flooding

• The source of a river or stream

• A ridgeline that defines the edge

• A smaller stream that flows into a larger river

Open Ended

Explain how watersheds contribute to ecosystem services, using the Chesapeake Watershed as an example.

Open Ended

How does the area and length of a watershed affect the likelihood of flooding?

Multiple Choice

Which type of slope is most likely to cause flash floods at the base?

• Steep slope

• Gentle slope

• Flat floodplain

• Mountain plateau

Multiple Choice

Which of the following soil types has the highest permeability and lowest runoff?

• Sand

• Loam

• Clay

• Silt

Open Ended

How does vegetation affect infiltration and the risk of flash flooding?

Multiple Choice

What is the function of drainage divides in a watershed?

• They separate different drainage basins.

• They increase water infiltration.

• They reduce runoff.

• They create floodplains.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic used to describe a watershed?

• Area

• Length

• Climate

• Vegetation types

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a solution to reduce downstream flood risk caused by impervious concrete surfaces in urban areas?

• Increasing the amount of impervious concrete

• Building more skyscrapers

• Using permeable concrete and creating green spaces

• Expanding road networks

Multiple Select

Which of the following are steps in the process of eutrophication as shown in the diagram?

• Fertilizer runoff introduces nutrients

• Algae blooms due to nutrients

• Bacteria use oxygen to break down algae

• Fish suffocate due to lack of oxygen

"Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations"

Open Ended

What might be the consequences for aquatic ecosystems from too many CAFOs?

Multiple Select

Which of the following practices help absorb runoff before it reaches water bodies?

• Riparian buffers

• Cover crops

• Impervious surfaces

• Removing vegetation

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a negative impact of dams on watersheds?

• They fragment habitats, making fish passage difficult.

• They increase downstream erosion.

• They do not affect sediment flow.

• They improve fish migration.

Open Ended

Explain how a fish ladder helps address the negative impacts of dams on watersheds.

Open Ended

Reflecting on what you learned today, what are some key characteristics that define a watershed?