Freshwater Freshwater 101101

All water can be divided into …

Saltwater vs. FreshwaterSaltwater vs. FreshwaterSaltwater:Saltwater:

Salinity is around 2.7% salt (NaCl)

Freshwater 101:Freshwater 101:

Freshwater 101:Freshwater 101:

Standing Water: Open Water

wholly aquatic Ponds & lakes

Wetlands partly terrestrial Marsh, Carr,

swamp, bog, fen

Freshwater 101:Freshwater 101:

Flowing Water: Water on the move;

following gravity from rain water to ground water to waterways, eventually to a lake or to the ocean.

Along the way:

Brooks / Creeks Brooks / Creeks Streams Streams Rivers Rivers

Lakes / OceansLakes / Oceans

The Water Cycle:The Water Cycle:

Processes We Should Know:Processes We Should Know: Evaporation, transpiration, condensation,

precipitation, infiltration.

The Water Cycle:The Water Cycle:

Water Table:Water Table: the top of the water surface in the saturated

part of an aquifer Runoff:Runoff:

water that travels across the land surface to rivers, lakes and the ocean

Surface Water:Surface Water: Water that does not infiltrate soil (lakes,

streams, wetlands, etc.)

The Water Cycle:The Water Cycle:

Watersheds:Watersheds:

A geographic area in which all water running off the land drains to a specific location: creek, river, stream.

Drainage Basins:Drainage Basins:

A large-scale watershed

Drainage Basins of Southern Ontario:Drainage Basins of Southern Ontario:

Watersheds:Watersheds: (con’t) (con’t)

Stream Order:Stream Order: Streams are classified by their tributaries

First Order:First Order: No tributaries Second Order:Second Order: two 1st order streams merge Third Order:Third Order: two 2nd order streams merge

Watersheds:Watersheds: (con’t) (con’t)

Why is it crucial to take a “watershed approach” when investigating water-based issues?

Who should be involved in decisions about watersheds?

The End!!The End!!