6 th Grade Science Seneca Ridge Middle School SOL 6.7 b: The location and structure of Virginia regional watershed systems.

Watersheds A watershed is the land that water flows across or through on its way to a common stream, lake or wetland – even something as small as the pond here. Areas of higher elevation, called divides, separate watersheds

Virginia's Major Watersheds LoudounCounty located here (Potomac River Watershed)

Watersheds The most productive watershed in Virginia is the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, perhaps in the world. The Chesapeake Bay is an estuary – a place where fresh water from rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean.  This area is also known as the tidewater region.

New York Pennsylvania West Virginia Maryland Virginia Delaware all drain into the Chesapeake Bay

The 5 main rivers flowing into the Chesapeake Bay: (Sally, Please Remember Your Jacket.) Susquehanna River Potomac River Rappahanock River York River James River

Watersheds of North America The four major bodies of water North America’s watersheds empty into are: –The Atlantic Ocean –The Gulf of Mexico –The Arctic Ocean –The Pacific Ocean The three major regional watershed systems in Virginia lead to the Chesapeake Bay (Atlantic Ocean), the North Carolina sounds (Atlantic Ocean), and the Gulf of Mexico (Atlantic Ocean)

River Systems In Virginia By looking at this map, in what direction do most rivers flow in Virginia? Northeast? Southeast? Northwest? Southwest?

River Systems In Virginia By looking at this map, in what direction do most rivers flow in Virginia? Southeast

The largest watershed in the United States is known as the: The Mississippi River Watershed

All this empties into the Gulf of Mexico

The End! Congratulations! You’ve just completed the SOL 6.7 b: Virginia Watershed Systems. Every time you visit the stream outside SRMS, you are having a watershed experience.