Water Availability/Alterations Chapter 9 – Module 27 Water Availability/Alterations

Water availability per capita The amount of water available per person varies tremendously around the world. North Africa and the Middle East are the regions with the lowest amounts of available fresh water.

Surface Water Watershed the area of land that is drained by a river system

Delta: a nearly flat plain of alluvial deposit between diverging branches of the mouth of a river, often, though not necessarily, triangular. http://chanceofrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Bay_Delta_Map4.gif

Altering the Availability of Water Levees- an enlarged bank built up on each side of the river. Dikes- similar to a levee but built to prevent ocean waters from flooding adjacent land.

We have over 1,400 miles of levees in the Delta!

Altering the Availability of Water Dams- a barrier that runs across a river or stream to control the flow of water. Fish ladders- a set of stairs with water flowing over them that have been added to some dams to help migrating fish such as salmon get upstream.

Altering the Availability of Water Los Vaqueros Reservoir Reservoir- the area where water is stored behind the dam. Contra Loma Reservoir Marsh Creek Reservoir Los Vaqueros Reservoir

Altering the Availability of Water Aqueducts- canals or ditches used to carry water from one location to another. The Pont du Gard aqueduct was constructed by the Romans in the 1st century AD

Altering the Availability of Water Desalination- removing the salt from salt water to obtain fresh water. http://maps.grida.no/library/files/water-desalination_002.jpg