Section 1
Rivers and Drainage Basins

In this section you will find materials that support the implementation of EarthComm Florida, Section 1: Rivers and Drainage Basins.

Inquiring Further

1. To learn more about water quality issues, visit the following web site:
   
   National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, USGS
   The National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) provides an understanding of water-quality conditions.  Provides information on how natural features and human activities affect water quality.
   
   
2. To learn more about river pollution and ecosystems, visit the following web sites:
   
   Nonpoint Source Pollution, NOAA
   Provides an overview of nonpoint and point pollution sources.  Describes the effects of pollution sources on bodies of water, such as streams and rivers, and ecosystems.
   
   Streams: A National Heritage Worth Preserving, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
   Describes stream components of a watershed, stream ecosystems, and the ways in which stream ecosystems can deteriorate.
   
   
3. To learn more about dams and river systems, visit the following web sites:
   • Edwards Dam, Kennebec River, Maine
     Edwards Dam and Kennebec Restoration, Natural Resources Council of Maine
     
     
   • Quaker Neck Dam, Neuse River, North Carolina
     Quaker Neck and Cherry Hospital Dam Removals, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
     
     
   • Kirkpatrick Dam (also known as Rodman Dam), St. Johns River, Florida
     Rodman Dam removal, St. Petersburg Times
     
     
   • Glen Canyon Dam, Colorado River, Arizona
     Glen Canyon Dam - Frequently Asked Questions, U.S. Department of the Interior
     
     
   • Lower Granite Dam, Snake River, Idaho
     The Solution, Idaho Rivers United
     
     
   • Elwha Dam and Glines Canyon Dam, Elwha River, Washington
     Elwha and Glines Canyon Dams, Elwha River near Port Angeles, Washington, U.S. Department of the Interior
4. To learn more about river systems and wastewater treatment, visit the following web sites:
   
   Water Q&A: Water use at home, USGS
   Question and answer segment that explains how water enters and exits a community.
          
   New York City's Wastewater Treatment System, The City of New York
   Describes New York City's wastewater treatment system, including where water comes from and where it goes.
   
   Wastewater Treatment - Water Use, USGS
   Explains what wastewater is as well as how and why it should be treated.

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Resources

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

Parts of a River System

Earth's Water: Rivers and the Landscape,
Explains how water flows through streams and rivers that combined create a watershed.

Mississippi River Delta Basin, The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act
The Mississippi River is a fantastic example of how a delta can change overtime. Explore this site to learn how the Mississippi River Delta has changed throughout geologic time.

Drainage Divides

What is a Watershed?, EPA
Defines watershed and provides an image that shows the parts of a watershed.

Surf Your Watershed, EPA
Identify the watershed your community is located in and obtain an environmental profile of your watershed.

River Systems and Community Growth

California's Coastal Streams and Rivers, California Natural Resources Agency
Describes the benefits streams provide to the biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

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