Watershed Vocabulary

________ is an area of high land that separates two different river systems or drainage basins. Think of it like a ridge that directs where water flows.

• Wetland

• Tributary

• Runoff

• Watershed

_________ is a low-lying area where the land is often soaked with water. Wetlands are important habitats for many types of wildlife. Examples include marshes, swamps, and bogs.

• Watershed

• Tributary

• Wetland

• Runoff

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

________ is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one. It's like a branch that joins a bigger river.

• Watershed

• Tributary

• Wetland

• Runoff

_______ is water, usually from rain, that flows over the land and into streams and rivers. It can carry soil and other materials with it.

• Runoff

• Watershed

• Tributary

• Wetland

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

_____________ is any form of water, like rain, snow, or sleet, that falls from the sky to the Earth's surface. Different weather conditions cause different types of precipitation.

• Erosion

• Sediment

• Topography

• Precipitation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

_________ is the process where natural forces like water, wind, or ice wear away rocks and soil. This material is often moved from one place to another, like from a mountain to a valley.

• Precipitation

• Sediment

• Erosion

• Topography

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

_________ is small pieces of rock, soil, and other materials that are carried by water, wind, or ice and then settle in a new location. Over time, these can form layers of rock.

• Precipitation

• Sediment

• Erosion

• Topography

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

___________ refers to the shape and features of the land, like mountains, valleys, and plains. It includes both natural and human-made features.

• Topography

• Sediment

• Erosion

• Precipitation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A _______ is a type of wetland with shallow water that can change levels. The water in a marsh is usually neutral or slightly alkaline, and the area is rich in nutrients, allowing many plants and animals to thrive.

• Topography

• Sediment

• Erosion

• Marsh

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

______________ happens when a body of water, like a lake or pond, gets too many nutrients, often from runoff. This causes a lot of plant and algae growth, which can use up the oxygen in the water and harm other organisms.

• Ecosystem

• Invasive

• Eutrophication

• Native

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4