Initial Publication Date: January 13, 2021

Elaborate: Watersheds and Water Quality

Now that students are familiar with erosion and the problems caused by land degradation, they will use the Wiki Watersheds model to broaden their understanding of the issue to a larger context.

Watersheds, land cover, and water quality

Use the simple, easy to use, Wiki Watersheds runoff model to explore relationship between land cover and runoff. Includes land cover, soil type and precipitation rate. Introduction to the tool and teacher help documents can be found here: WikiWatersheds Model
Time required: 45 minutes

  1. Begin with the simple, Run-off Simulation model. Give students time to explore the model. For instance, change the land cover from forest to barren land; and see how it impacts the Evapotranspiration, Runoff, and Infiltration.
  2. Next, change the Hydrologic Soil Group. After students have explored these variables, use the Slider at the top right and change the Precipitation rate. Look at change in run-off, evapotranspiration, and infiltration. Runoff Model
  3. Once students have had experience with using the simple model, direct them to the Site Storm Model (link below) and allow them to explore their own area of choice. In this more complex model, users can discover an areas land cover, hydrologic soil groups, ground covers, terrain, climate, and sources of water pollution. Site Storm Model

Educator Note:
For additional information on how to use WikiWatersheds for High School several sample lessons are linked below.
Activity: Part V: Modeling Improvements to My Schoolyard (2017 - 2018)

Sample instructions – written for undergraduate level – can be found at the link below.
Unit 7.1 - Model My Watershed

Optional Extensions

Note: This activity sequence could also be used as an engagement activity – Why should we care about maintaining soil?
Optional Activity 1. Show the PBS video "Black Blizzard" from the History Channel
Or use this 4:41 minute introduction entitled: History Brief: Black Blizzards
History Brief: Black Blizzards


Optional Activity 2. Complete the Dust Bowl GIS activity -- What happens when soil is not properly managed? Dust Bowl GIS
Time required: 20 minutes