Transcript USA Bodies of Water

• Largest lake in Florida
• Water drains from the lake to the
Everglades.
• Water flows through canals to the
Atlantic Ocean – providing water to
communities along the way.
Gulf Stream
• A warm water current keeps the
temperatures moderate.
• It originates in the Gulf of Mexico,
flows around Florida, and up the
eastern coast of the U.S.
Gulf of Mexico
• Surrounded by USA and Mexico
• 700,000 square miles
• Few harbors because the coast is low and
marshy
Mississippi River
• Longest River in USA
• 750 islands
• Used for transportation
Missouri River
• “Big Muddy” – because of silt, parts of the
river has dark brown water
• Tributary of the Mississippi River
Fort Peck Dam controls flooding, provides irrigation water, and
generates electricity for the surrounding area.
Rio Grande River
• “Big River” 1,885 miles
• Runs from San Juan Mts. In SW Colorado
to Gulf of Mexico
• Forms border between Texas and Mexico
Colorado River
• Carved the Grand Canyon
• Hoover Dam sits on it
• Flows 1470 miles into Gulf of
California
• Coast of San Francisco
• 50 miles long
• 3-12 miles wide
Pacific Ocean
• Largest ocean
• Borders west coast of USA
• Largest source of hydroelectric power in
North America
• Begins in S.E. British Columbia and flows
1,293 miles to Pacific in Washington.
Columbia River
Puget Sound
• Large inlet of Pacific Ocean entering
Washington.
• Large ships travel into ports located in
Puget Sound because it is so deep.
Great Lakes
• Five lakes that form the largest connected
area of freshwater in the world.
• Used for transportation
• Canals and locks built to connect
• Formed by glaciers during Ice Age
• Tributary of Mississippi River
• 981 miles long
• Forms southern border of Ohio, Indiana,
and Illinois
• Carries 100 million tons of freight each
year
Ohio River
• Major waterway in SE
U.S.
• Served as route for
settlers moving west
• Only navigable by flat
boats
Tennessee River
Potomac River
• Runs past Washington
D.C. toward
Chesapeake Bay
• John Smith mapped it
while exploring
Chesapeake
• George Washington
was born on shores –
Mt. Vernon
• Dividing line between
north and south
Chesapeake Bay
• “Country on a great river” –
John Smith
• While British bombed,
Francis Scott Key wrote
“Star Spangled Banner”
• 195 miles long
• 3-25 miles wide – deep
enough for ocean going
vessels
Atlantic Ocean
• Borders east coast of USA
• 2nd largest ocean
Hudson River
• Harbor at mouth
of river made
NYC famous
• Forms border
between NY and
NJ
• Explored in 1609
by Henry Hudson
• Used for shipping
Niagara Falls
• “thunder of waters”
• Sits between NY
and Ontario
• About 25,000 years
old
• Almost all drainage
from the Great
lakes pours over
falls
Great Salt Lake
• Largest inland body of salt water in
Western Hemisphere
• High salt and mineral content
• Few life forms
• About 1700 square miles