River Systems Earth Science Fall 2017

What are rivers and streams? Both of these terms refer to water flowing on the Earth’s surface. Rivers and streams both start at some “higher point”. This could be a mountain or it could be a hill. Rivers and streams will eventually run into the ocean.

North Carolina’s Major Rivers The major rivers in North Carolina are: The Neuse River The Cape Fear River Roanoke River Nantahala River Tar River Catawba and Yadkin Rivers

How are rivers and streams different? Both a river and a stream are flowing bodies of water. A river is larger, longer and faster moving than a stream. You can step across a stream but you can not step across a river.

What is the area around a river called? The area of land around a river or stream from which the surface runoff drains is called the watershed. What is a watershed?

The Neuse Watershed

How do people use rivers? Source for drinking water Irrigation of crops Produce electricity (hydroelectric power) Recreation Food source Drainage and waste evacuation

What are the consequences of our use of rivers? JUST a few are…. Literally draining the levels of water in the rivers due to overconsumption. Depletion of food sources Pollution from runoff and direct dumping of substances.

What is an aquifer, you ask? It is an underground rock and cave system that holds water.

How does water end up in an aquifer and what can happen to it? Water enters an aquifer when it sinks through the ground. Water in an aquifer is considered to be ground water. Wells can be drilled into aquifers so that water can be pumped out.

Why don’t aquifers exist EVERYWHERE? In order for an aquifer to exist, the rock must be porous enough to allow water to move through it. The rock must also be permeable to water.

Are there benefits to using water from aquifers? Aquifers are natural filters that trap sediment and other things such as bacteria. They provide natural purification of water flowing through them.

What are the drawbacks of using water from aquifers? IF the rocks and minerals that make up an aquifer are high in substances such as iron, the water coming from that particular aquifer may cause iron staining. Sometimes substances found in the rocks such as fluoride, uranium and arsenic may cause health concerns.

How is an aquifer contaminated? Things that we do on the surface of the Earth can filtrate through to the aquifer and contaminate the water.

Aquifer Depletion

What is a flood? A flood is an overflowing of a large amount of water beyond its normal confines.

What are the consequences of a flood? Positive Negative Recharge ground water resources Maintaining key ecosystem functions and biodiversity Fill wetlands. Move sediments and nutrients around the landscape Loss of human life Damage to property Destruction of crops Loss of livestock Deterioration of health conditions (water quality)