Transcript H20 Systems: NC Geography

H20 Systems: NC Watersheds and
Pollution
Unit 2
Lesson 2
PowerPoint 1
NC as an Aqueduct
 Imagine NC as an aqueduct.
 From which direction would the source of your water come
from?
 How does the geography of NC affect the flow of water through
our state?
 Where does all the water in NC try to drain out into?
 What carries the water there?
Watersheds
 NC has 17 watersheds.
 Watersheds are geographic boundaries that confine runoff to
a particular region.
 The largest NC watershed is the Cape Fear watershed. It is
drained by the Cape Fear River.
Watersheds cont…
 Watersheds are separated by divides. When precipitation hits
the ground it is known as runoff. The topography of the land
influences the direction in which runoff will travel.
The In-Depth Water Cycle
Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation
• Water evaporates from
the ocean or other body of
water.
• Water condenses to form
clouds.
• Clouds release water in
the form of precipitation.
Tributaries
Watershed
Runoff
• Runoff begins to form
streams or tributaries.
These water systems make
their way towards larger
systems.
• Upon hitting the ground,
runoff is confined to a
particular watershed.
• Precipitation hits the
ground and begins flowing
across the land.
Rivers
Drainage basins
• Tributaries form rivers.
Rivers drain watersheds of
their contents. They flow
towards drainage basins.
• Where rivers dump their
contents. The largest are
ocean basins. Lakes are
example of smaller
drainage basins.
Water System Metaphor
Runoff
• All the college football players going to play in the NFL.
• NFC
• AFC
Watershed
•
•
Tributaries •
•
River
Ocean
Cowboys
Eagles
Broncos
Packers
• Regular season games.
• The victor of playoffs goes onto the biggest stage in the NFL…the
Superbowl.
The Mighty Cape Fear
 The Cape Fear River is NC’s largest river basin.
 It drains 27 counties, including Duplin.
 Empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Wilmington, NC.
 About 35% of the streams in the Cape Fear River Basin are
considered threatened and 18% are impaired by pollution.
 Sediment is the major pollutant, but other types of pollution
which pose significant threats to water quality include nutrients,
oxygen-demanding wastes, and toxic substances. The pollution
comes from different sources: urban stormwater, construction,
agriculture, and wastewater treatment plants.
Source: http://www.water.ncsu.edu/capefear.html
Point Source vs. Non-point Source
Pollutants
 Pollutants are the substances that cause pollution.
 The Cape Fear River Basin is affected by many types of
pollutants. These pollutants come from several different
sources.
 Point source pollution – the source of pollution is directly
identifiable.
 Nonpoint source pollution – the source of pollution is not
directly identifiable.
Point or Nonpoint?
Point or Nonpoint?
Point or Nonpoint?
Point or Nonpoint?
Cape Fear Meets the Ocean
 The Cape Fear ends in New Hanover County. It empties into
the Atlantic ocean at the historic port of Wilmington. The
area where a river meets the ocean is known as an estuary.
 Estuary – unique ecosystem
 Breeding ground for certain breeds.
 Dilution of salt creates a unique habitat.
Conclusion
 A large amount of NC’s population relies heavily on the Cape
Fear River Basin (watershed) for potable water. It is
important that we keep this basin free of pollutants and do
our part to sustain the water needed for this area.
Tying it all together.
 How might pollution affect water sustainability efforts in NC
and what are some ways that we can help decrease the
amount of pollutants entering our water systems?
 Write a “BLT” essay and submit it by the end of class.