Children’s Water FestivalWater Wizards Study Questions

Categories:1. Conservation2. Storm Water3. General & Wild Card4. Science & Math5. Agriculture

NOTE: References for some questions follow the answer. Also, for some questions, additional information follows in italics.

CONSERVATION

1. What percent of our water is used to water lawns? About 50% depending on the city

Source: Colorado State University-Extensionwww.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/09952.html no.9.952

2. What is the name of the landscaping that uses native and climate adapted plants? Xeriscape

Xeros (Greek for “dry”)Scape (“landscape”)Sources: Colorado State University- Extensionwww.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07228.html no. 7.228 www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1912.html Is Colorado a desert?

3. How much water a day does a single leaking faucet waste? Up to 100 gallons a day

Source: Colorado State University-Extensionwww.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/09952.html no. 7.230

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4. Name three native plants that can be used for landscaping? Buffalo Grass Golden Current Rabbit brush Mountain

Mahogany

Rocky Mountain Maple

Penstemons

Bluegramma grass

Sage brush Junipers Pine

5. If you take a 10 minute shower with a conventional shower head (5 gpm), how much water does it use?

50 gallonsMethod: 10 (min) x 5 (gpm) = 50 gallons

6. What could you do to cut the total gallons used in half? Take a shorter shower (5 minutes), or install a low-flow showerhead

Method: 5 (min) x 5 (gpm) = 25 gallons

7. Name three ways to save water outside? Use shut-off nozzles on hoses Plant native plants—that don’t use a lot of water Use mulch in planting beds Use drip-irrigation systems Direct sprinklers only onto plants—not streets or driveways Limit lawn-watering and follow watering restrictions Install a rain sensor to shut off your sprinkler system automatically after it rains Sweep, don’t hose patios, sidewalks, and driveways Water brown spots of your lawn by hand

8. What is one way to use less water for bathing and showering? Install a low-flow showerhead, take a shorter shower, and fill the bathtub only half-

full.

9. What is one way to use less water from a toilet? Check for leaks

Install a low-flow or ultra low-flow toiletFlush less often

10. What room of a house typically has the highest water use? Bathroom (FYI: 27% of indoor use is for the toilet and 18% is used for showering)

Source: Colorado State University-Extensionwww.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/09952.html no. 9.952

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STORMWATER

True and False:11. Wastewater and storm water flow through the same system of pipes.

False12. Storm drain inlets do not remove pollutants.

True

13. Motor Oil, grease, antifreeze leaking from a car is an illegal discharge. True

14. Dumping water containing soap, paint, cleaning products, grease, or oil into the street or a storm drain is an illegal discharge (dumping).

True

15. Pet/animal waste that isn’t picked up and disposed of properly is detrimental to the quality of our water.

True

16. Littering can be detrimental to the quality of our water.

Multiple Choice17. What is the name of Greeley’s Stormwater ambassadors?

Jo & FloSource: City of Greeley, Colorado – Stormwater Department http://greeleygov.com/Stormwater/default.aspx

18. What is Water Jo and Flo’s message? Keep it clean, “cause we’re all downstream”. Source: City of Greeley, Colorado – Stormwater Department http://greeleygov.com/Stormwater/default.aspx

19. What are the two main acceptable discharges into a storm drain? Rain and snowmelt

20. Name the two different types of sewer systems most cities have? Storm sewer and sanitary sewer

Sources: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_drain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanitary_sewer

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21. What type of water pollution can make us sick quickly? Bacteria

Source: EPAwww.epa.gov/OGWDW/Pubs/gloss2.html#B

22. You should never let trash or debris enter what? Storm drain or curb inlet

23. What is the system of pipes called that transports rain water and snow-melt directly to local lakes and rivers?

Storm drainage system

24. What is the correct way to clean soil, fertilizer or other debris off of the sidewalk or driveway?

Sweeping with a broom

25. Where does the water running down your street and into your gutter go to? Storm drain and ultimately into a ditch or stream

Source: City of Greeley, Colorado – Stormwater Department www.greeleygov.com/Stormwater/Documents/SW%20Pollution%20Brochure.pdf

GENERAL & WILDCARD

26. When water is diverted from one river basin into another—this is called? Divert: change something’s path, to change the route or path taken by something such as traffic or a river

Trans basin or transmountain diversionTrans: Latin “across, over, through”Source: Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District Mapwww.ncwcd.org/project_features/east_slope.asp

27. When water is purposefully left in a river for aquatic life—this is called? Minimum stream flows

Source: Bureau of Reclamationhttp://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=2641

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28. Define watershed?

The surface area between high points in elevation that catches and directs runoff to the lowest point of elevation. (The area drained by a river or stream and its tributaries)Source: NASA-Landsat 7 image http://kmgh.envirocast.net/index.php?pagename=ow_HUC_1019

29. What does a “100 year flood” mean? A very large flood that has a 1% chance of occurring in any year

Source: USGS – Water Science for Schoolshttp://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/100yearflood.html

30. The worst natural disaster in Colorado history occurred in 1976. What is this known as?

The Big Thompson FloodSource: USGS – Fact Sheet 2006 – 3095http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3095

31. Name Colorado’s 8 major river basins?

Yampa-White River South Platte River Basin Arkansas River Basin Rio Grande River Basin Colorado River Basin Gunnison River Basin San Juan/Dolores River Basin Source: Colorado Water Conservation Board – River Basin Information

http://cwcb.state.co.us/IWMD/SWSITechnicalResources/RiverBasinInformation/

32. Most of Colorado’s precipitation falls in which portion of the state? The Central Mountains

Orographic lifting over the Central Mountains results in most of the rainwater falling

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in the mountains. So, Colorado’s Western Slope and Eastern Slope are drier than the mountains.

33. What valley in Colorado is the driest, receiving only 7 inches of precipitation annually?

San Luis ValleySource: Colorado Department of Natural Resources – Interbasin Compact Committeehttp://ibcc.state.co.us/Basins/RioGrande/RioGrandeBasinWaterSupplyUse.htm

34. Which famous river in Colorado used to be called the Grand River? Colorado River

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_River

35. Name the 3 physical forms of water? Liquid-Solid-Vapor

Source: University of Minnesota-Extensionwww.extension.umn.edu/distribution/youthdevelopment/components/0328-02.html

36. What percent of the earth’s surface is covered by water? 71%

Source: NASAhttp://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/earth_worldbook.html Hydrosphere

37. What percent of the water on earth is usable fresh water? 3%

Source: NASAhttp://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/earth_worldbook.html Hydrosphere

38. What percentage of your body weight is water? 60%

Source: University of California - Cooperative Extension Officehttp://ucanr.org

39. What is the significance of the Continental Divide to water supplies? This is where the water flows east to the Atlantic Ocean or west to the Pacific Ocean

In addition, the Continental Divide provides: Collection of precipitation in the form of snow and rain water. Stores that water in high mountain snowfields, glaciers, lakes, streams and

groundwater recharge.

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Releases that water gradually and naturally due to seasonal changes. Gravity allows the natural flow of water downhill due to the elevation changes.

40. What is the study of water called? Hydrology

Hydro Greek for: (water) and Logos (study)Source: USGS – Science in Your Watershed http://water.usgs.gov/wsc/glossary.html#H

41. Name the process of the water cycle when water changes from a liquid to a vapor? Evaporation

Source: American Meteorological Society Glossaryhttp://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/browse?s=e&p=43

42. Name the process of the water cycle where water vapor is transmitted through the pores of leaves into the air?

TranspirationSource: American Meteorological Society Glossaryhttp://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/browse?s=t&p=45

43. Name the process of the water cycle where condensed water vapor falls to the earth’s surface, possibly in the form of rain, snow, hail, or sleet?

PrecipitationSource: American Meteorological Society Glossary http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/browse?s=p&p=56

44. Name the process of the water cycle when precipitation seeps into the ground, depending on the ground’s permeability?

Infiltration or percolationSource: USGS – Science in Your Watershedhttp://water.usgs.gov/wsc/glossary.html#I Infiltrationhttp://water.usgs.gov/wsc/glossary.html#P Percolation

45. In terms of the water cycle—define runoff? Precipitation that does not infiltrate the ground, but remains on the surface and flows

into streams, rivers and eventually large bodies of water.Source: USGS – Science in Your Watershedhttp://water.usgs.gov/wsc/glossary.html#R

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46. Name the process of the water cycle where water vapor transforms into a liquid or solid state, producing clouds and fog?

CondensationSource: National Snow and Ice Data Centerhttp://nsidc.org/arcticmet/glossary/condensation.html

47. What is the energy source that drives the water cycle? Sun or Solar Energy

Source: USGS – Water Science Basicshttp://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclesummary.html Quick Summary

48. Name the major parts of the Hydrologic Cycle?

Evaporation Condensation Precipitation Percolation or Infiltration Transpiration

Source: USGS – Water Science Basicshttp://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclesummary.html

49. What is the beginning of a river known as? The river’s source or headwaters

Example: The Nile River in Africa-The longest river in the world.Source: World Resource Institute. 2007. EarthTrends: Environmental Information.http://earthtrends.wri.org/maps_spatial/maps_detail_static.php?map_select=299&theme=2

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50. What is the source for both groundwater and surface water? Precipitation

Source: USGS – Water Science Basicshttp://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclesummary.html

51. Give an example of standing surface water? Lakes Ponds Swamps Bog Marsh

52. At what temperature does water freeze? 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius

53. What type of soil is most likely to allow groundwater contamination? Sandy or gravelly

Source: University of Florida IFAS Extension http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS169 Significance of Soil Texture

54. What is the flat land called that borders a river and is covered by water when the river floods?

FloodplainSource: USGS – Science in Your Watershedhttp://water.usgs.gov/wsc/glossary.html#F

55. What is a large-leafed plant that grows or floats in ponds? Water-Lily

56. Name one purpose for building a dam on a river to create a reservoir? Irrigation Flood control Recreation Hydroelectric power

57. What is the name for a smaller stream that flows into a larger stream? Tributaries or branches

58. Name two common waterfowl?

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Ducks and geese

59. What is the name for an artificial lake that collects and stores water? Reservoir

60. Name the project that diverts water from the Western Slope to the Northern Front Range in Colorado?

The Colorado-Big Thompson ProjectSource: Northern Colorado Water Conservancy Districtwww.ncwcd.org/project_features/cbt_main.asp

61. The City of Greeley receives water from what four water basins? Cache la Poudre Big Thompson River Basin Colorado River Basin Laramie River Basin

Source: Colorado Division of Water Resources – Colorado Basins Maphttp://water.state.co.us/pubs/gis/coloradobasins.pdf

62. Greeley has six high mountain reservoirs in the Cache la Poudre River Basin name at least 3 of them. Barnes Meadow Comanche Hourglass Milton Seamen Peterson Lake Twin LakesSource: City of Greeley, Colorado http://greeleygov.com/Water/Documents/water02.pdf Map-page 3Source: Resource Analysis Systems www.resourceanalysis.com/fishing/fish86/f86.html Barnes Meadow www.resourceanalysis.com/fishing/fish80/f80.html Comanche www.resourceanalysis.com/fishing/fish92/f92.html Peterson Lake

63. The Town of Hudson receives water from what two sources? Wells (groundwater) Carter Lake (surface water)

Source: Town of Hudson, Colorado www.hudsoncolorado.org/2008CCR.pdf Our Water Source(s)

64. Where does the Town of Eaton receive their potable water from?

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North Weld County Water District, who receives the majority of their water from the Colorado-Big Thompson and Cache la Poudre Rivers.

Sources: Town of Eaton, Colorado www.eatonco.org/Consumer_confidence_2008.htm Our Water Source(s) www.nwcwd.org/servicearea.html Service Area Map

65. Name the largest water district in Colorado, which covers 65 square miles and serves Commerce City? The South Adams County Water and Sanitation DepartmentSource: South Adams County-Water & Sanitation District, Colorado www.sacwsd.org/index.aspx?NID=66

66. Where does the South Adams County Water and Sanitation Department receive its water from? 11 wells which draw water from the alluvial aquifer tributary to the South Platte

River, 8 deep wells which draw from the Arapahoe formation, and treated surface water from Denver Water

Source: South Adams County-Water & Sanitation District, Coloradowww.sacwsd.org/index.aspx?nid=91

67. Where is the largest hot spring in Colorado? Big Springs in Glenwood SpringsSource: Encyclopedia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.23 Jul.2009 http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/272775/hot-spring

68. What is the deepest natural lake in Colorado, and how deep is it? Grand Lake at 265 feet deepSource: Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District www.ncwcd.org/project_features/grand_lake_numbers.asp www.ncwcd.org/project_features/location_map.asp NCWCD location maps

69. What percent of Colorado’s naturally occurring lakes are found at altitudes above 9,000 feet? 89%Source: Colorado State University-Extension http://waterknowledge.colostate.edu/coolfact.htm

70. Name the seven major rivers that originate in Colorado? Rio Grande Colorado

South Platte Cache la Poudre

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Arkansas Gunnison

Yampa

Source: Colorado Water Conservation Board – River Basin Informationhttp://cwcb.state.co.us/IWMD/SWSITechnicalResources/RiverBasinInformation/

71. The Western slope of Colorado holds what proportion of the state’s surface

water? About three-quarters

So, the Eastern plains are drier than the Western slope, because Colorado gets most of its precipitation from the Pacific Ocean, not the Gulf of Mexico.

72. Groundwater supplies what percent of the total water used in Colorado? 18%Source: Groundwater Protection Council – Nonprofit (501(c) 6) Organization www.gwpc.org Home page www.gwpc.org/e-library/documents/state_fact_sheets/colorado.pdf

73. Name five Colorado cites along the South Platte River? Greeley Denver Brighton Ft. Lupton Ft. Morgan

La Salle Julesburg Sterling Brush Evans

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74. What percent of water treated by public water systems is used for drinking and cooking?

Less than 1%Source: Colorado State University-Extension http://waterknowledge.colostate.edu/coolfact.htm

75. Where does the water from lakes and rivers go to be cleaned so that it is safe to drink? Water Treatment Plants

76. Name the two water treatment plants for Greeley, Colorado? Bellvue Boyd Lake Source: The City of Greeley, Colorado www.greeleygov.com/Water/watertreatment.aspx

77. Name the water treatment process that includes passing water through 3 feet of

charcoal, sand and gravel? FiltrationSource: The City of Greeley, Coloradowww.greeleygov.com/Water/watertreatment.aspx Water Treatment Process

78. In rural areas, wastewater flows to what system for treatment? Septic Systems Source: The National Environmental Service Center www.nesc.wvu.edu/subpages/septic_defined.cfm

79. In Greeley—cleaned and treated wastewater from the wastewater plants goes where? To the Cache la Poudre River and then into the South Platte River Source: The City of Greeley, Colorado www.greeleygov.com/Water/quality.aspx Drinking Water Quality

80. Does runoff increase or decrease in urban areas? IncreaseSource: EPA – Polluted Runoff (Nonpoint Source Pollution) www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/facts/point7.htm

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81. If all rivers flow into the ocean, why does the water level in all the oceans stay the same? Because of the Water CycleSource: Pidwirny, M. (2006). “The Hydrologic Cycle”. Fundamentals of Physical Geography, 2nd Edition. www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/8b.html

SCIENCE & MATH

82. How much does 1 gallon of water weigh? Approximately 8 pounds Source: EPA – Drinking Water & Ground Water Kids’ Stuffwww.epa.gov/ogwdw/kids/water_trivia_facts.html no. 29

83. How many atoms are there in a molecule of water, and what are they? 3 total atoms: 2 Hydrogen atoms, 1 Oxygen atomSource: University of Minnesota-Extensionwww.extension.umn.edu/distribution/youthdevelopment/components/0328-02.html

84. In a molecule of water—what type of bond needs to happen to join hydrogen atoms along with and oxygen atom? Covalent Bond Source: University of Minnesota-Extension www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/youthdevelopment/components/0328-02.html

85. Define snowpack? The accumulation of snow on the ground that persists through winter and melts in

the spring and summer Source: American Meteorological Society Glossary http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/browse?s=s&p=60

86. About how much snow makes up 1 inch of standing water? 12 inches of snowIn addition, this amount of snow to water ratio does vary depending on snow type. Heavy, wet snow has a high water content—4 or 5 inches of this kind of snowpack contains about 1 inch of water.

Source: USGS Washington Water Science Center http://wa.water.usgs.gov/outreach/rain.html Volume and weight

87. What is the annual precipitation on the prairie lands of the Front Range? About 10-15 inches annually

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Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia- 2.1 Climate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver Weather Channel [25] November 2008

88. Once a water molecule evaporates—how many days does it spend in the air? 10 days on average

Source: Colorado State University-Extensionhttp://waterknowledge.colostate.edu/coolfact.htm

89. There are four classifications of clouds—name two of them? Stratus, Cumulus, Cirrus, NimbusSource: National Weather Service - Jet Stream: Online School for Weather www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/synoptic/clouds.htm

90. What percent of Colorado’s water supply comes from snowpack? 75%Source: Colorado State University-Extension http://waterknowledge.colostate.edu/snow.htm Influence on water supply

91. Using the force of falling water to produce electricity is known as what? Hydroelectric Power

92. What is the largest reservoir in Colorado? Blue Mesa ReservoirSource: U.S. Department of the Interior – Bureau of Reclamation www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/crsp/aspinal/BlueMesa.html www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/crsp/aspinal/aspFacts.html

93. Name the water allocation system in Colorado, and explain how it works? Prior Appropriation, “First in time, first in right”Source: National Science & Technology Center – Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov/nste/WaterLaws/index.html

94. What is the name for a chart showing water flow changes measured for a period

of time? HydrographSource: NOAA - National Weather Service Glossary www.nws.noaa.gov/glossary/index.php?letter=h Source: NOAA – National Weather Servicewww.nws.noaa.gov/iao/InternationalHydrologyCourseCD2/NWSRFSLarson/RFSW1.html Example: Hydrograph Chart

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95. Does water refract or reflect light waves? RefractSource: American Meteorological Glossary http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/browse?s=r&p=35

96. What is a land mass of ice that moves called? A GlacierSource: University of Kentucky-Geology Department www.uky.edu/AS/Geology/howell/goodies/elearning/module13swf.swf

97. What is the universal solvent?

WaterSource: USGS – Water Science for Schools http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/waterproperties.html Water’s Chemical Properties

98. What were the first water pipes in the U.S made from? LogsThe first municipal pumping station in the U.S. was erected about 1760 to supply water to the town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania through pipes made of bored hemlock logs. Source: “Water Supply & Waterworks,” Microsoft Encarta-Online Encyclopedia 2009. http://encarta.msn.com. 1997-2009 Microsoft Corporation.

99. Name six categories of water use?

Agricultural irrigation, landscape irrigation, drinking, wildlife habitat, cleaning, cooking, cooling, industrial/commercial, transportation, recreation, transporting wastes, heating fighting fires, power production

100. There are two states in the US, where all the rivers that originate in them flow out of the state, name these two states? Colorado Hawaii

101. Why are water treatment plants located at a higher point than the city? To take advantage of gravity and minimize the amount of pumping necessary

to build up the water pressure

AGRICULTURE

102. What term describes a “wind-driven water pump”?

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Windmill

103. What is an acre-foot of water, and how many gallons are there in one? A measurement that is 1 acre in size by 1 foot deep; 325,900 gallons

Source: USGS Washington Water Science for Schools http://wa.water.usgs.gov/outreach/rain.html Water Equivalents (approximate)

104. In Colorado what percentage of water use is by cities, agriculture, and other? 10% city and domestic 85% agricultural 5% other

Source: Colorado Water Conservation Board-Department of Natural Resourceshttp://cwcb.state.co.us Search: SWSI Page 1: [pdf] Fact Sheet color for pdf.cdr Pie Chart-page 4

105. Which habitat makes up less than 3% of the land in Colorado, but is used by

over 90% of the wildlife in the state? Riparian Habitat which is land adjacent to rivers

Source: Colorado State University-Extensionhttp://waterknowledge.colostate.edu/coolfact.htm

106. How were irrigation ditches constructed over 100 years ago in Colorado? By using teams of horses pulling scrappers

107. What is the term for applying agricultural chemicals with a center pivot irrigation system?

ChemigationSources: Visy Industries Australia--

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http://www.irrig8right.com.au/index.htmwww.irrig8right.com.au/Glossary/Glossary.htm#GlossaryC

108. What is the name for the zone of water saturation below ground? Water table

Sources: USGShttp://water.usgs.gov/wsc/glossary.html#Whttp://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclegwstorage.html

109. What is the name of the process where groundwater is absorbed into the

zone of saturation? Recharge

Source: USGS – The Water Cycle (Water Science for Schools)http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclegwstorage.html

110. When more groundwater is being pumped than is being recharged, what is the situation called? Overdraft or depletion

Sources: USGShttp://water.usgs.gov/wsc/glossary.html#D Depletion http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclegwstorage.html Pumping Affect

111. Where is most of the treated water used in western cities? Landscape—irrigation Source: USGS - Water Science for Schoolshttp://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/qausage.html Questions: (2) (3) (4) Link to reclaimedSource: USGS - Water Science for Schools http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wwreclaimed.html Reclaimed wastewater

112. What is the term for a permeable body of rock that both stores and

transports groundwater? Aquifer

Sources: National Atlas-USGShttp://nationalatlas.gov/mld/aquifrp.html

113. Name the 3 major groundwater aquifers in Colorado? High Plains

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San Luis Valley (Rio Grande) Denver Basin

Sources: USGS Aquifer Basicshttp://water.usgs.gov/ogw/aquiferbasics/hpaq.html High Plains aquifer http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/aquiferbasics/riogrande.html Rio Grande aquifer system http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/aquiferbasics/denver.html Denver Basin aquifer system

114. Water that is lost to the immediate water environment through evaporation, plant transpiration, incorporation in products or crops, or consumption by humans and livestock is known as? Consumptive use

Source: USGS Washington Water Science Centerhttp://wa.water.usgs.gov/data/wuse/wuse_glossary.htm

115. What is the term for surface water or groundwater that returns to rivers

and/ or shallow aquifers after being withdrawn for use? Return Flow

Source: USGS Washington Water Science Centerhttp://wa.water.usgs.gov/data/wuse/wuse_glossary.htm

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