November 17, 2010
- Watersheds
- Family Fun
- Upcoming DEC Events
- Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
- Capital District - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
- Central New York - Rogers Environmental Education Center
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Watersheds
Have you ever watched water flowing down your street during a heavy rainstorm and wondered where all that water is headed? When the ground can't absorb any more water due to heavy rain or snowmelt, or if the surface isn't permeable (such as pavement), water flows across the land into streams or other channels and is called runoff. Underground, out of sight, more water is moving. Groundwater slowly seeps through the tiny spaces between soil particles and in porous rocks. This water eventually reaches the surface in low-lying areas, joining streams and lakes.
As smaller streams combine, the volume of water being moved steadily increases. Eventually, it reaches larger rivers that empty into a lake or ocean. The land area whose waters drain into a stream, lake or other body of water is called a watershed because the water is "shed" from the land after rain falls and snow melts. If you look at an aerial view of the path water from your street follows to the ocean, it looks like the branching pattern of a tree. Water that flows down your street may pick up pollutants and chemicals, which are then carried directly into streams, rivers and lakes. Everything downstream from the source will be affected by it.
To keep our aquatic ecosystems healthy, we must protect our watersheds. You can do your part by reducing the use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers on your lawn. In addition, make sure that oil isn't leaking from cars onto the pavement where it can get picked up by runoff and carried into waterways. By keeping the land clean and free of pollutants, we can contribute to keeping our watersheds healthy. Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think about Outdoor Discovery.
Subscribe to the Conservationist-New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles.
Learn the best places to view wildlife at DEC's Watchable Wildlife pages.
Family Fun
Branching Out
To find out how water flows through a watershed, you will need some freezer paper (waxy side and paper side); black, light blue and orange markers; a spray bottle filled with water and an aluminum baking tray. Crumple the freezer paper into a tight ball and then gently un-crumple it without flattening it. Place the un-crumpled paper in the aluminum tray. You want to see peaks and valleys.
With the black marker, trace lines along every ridge of the crumpled paper. These represent the mountain tops and other areas of higher elevation. With the blue marker, trace lines along every valley. These represent the areas with lower elevation where water would collect or streams would flow. With the orange marker, add features you might find in a community: houses, schools, shopping areas, etc.
Using the spray bottle, gently spray the paper with water, simulating rain. Spray water only until small "lakes" begin to form. Can you see the route the water follows as it flows to down to the low-lying areas? This is the watershed. Did any of the community end up under water? Why is this bad? How could this have been prevented? What color are the lakes? Clear? Light? Dark? A mix of the three colors? What does this tell you? Hint: runoff carries what it finds to its final destination; if it picks up pollutants, the final gathering area of the water will become polluted.
What is Your Watershed Address?
No matter where you live, you live in a watershed-even if you are hundreds of miles from the ocean. Look at a topographic map and find your town. Then find a stream, river or lake near your home where runoff from your roof would travel to. Trace your finger along its route to the ocean. Write down the name of each water body that your water travels trough, from smallest to largest. This is your watershed address. DEC's website has a map of each of the 17 watersheds in the state.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Saturday Morning Guided Nature Walks
Saturdays, November 20 and 27 at 10:00 AM
Nature Discovery After-School Program
Thursday, November 18 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
For school-aged children and their caregivers.
Introduction to Fly Tying
Saturday, November 20 at 2:00 PM
Attendees are encouraged to bring fly-tying tools and materials if they have them.
Campfire and Shelter Building
Saturday, November 27 at 2:00 PM
Event Descriptions at Stony Kill
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Night Senses
Friday, November 19 at 7:00 PM
Sleepy Time
Saturday, November 20 at 10:00 AM
Nature Legends
Saturday, November 20 at 2:00 PM
Watchable Wildlife: Woodpeckers
Saturday, November 27 at 10:00 AM
White-Tailed Deer
Saturday, November 27 at 2:00 PM
Event Descriptions at Five Rivers
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Coyote Howl Prowl
Friday, November 19 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Call 518-456-0655 to register. Cost: $2.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Central New York
Rogers Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 607-674-4017.
Winter Bird Feeding
Saturday, November 20 at 11:00 AM
Watchable Wildlife: Winter Animals
Saturday, November 20 at 1:30 PM
Bluebird Nest Box Building
Saturday, November 27 at 11:00 AM
There is a materials fee of $10.00 for every box that you take home. Registration required.
Watchable Wildlife: Which Creatures are Stirring?
Saturday, November 27 at 1:30 PM
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
After-School Escape
Thursdays, November 18 at 4:30 PM
For children in grades K-5.
Outdoor Skills
Saturday, November 20 at 10:30 AM
For adults and children age 8 and older.
Full Beaver Moon Walk
Monday, November 22 at 6:00 PM
Turkey Stroll
Friday, November 26 at 10:30 AM