Water Map Questions (s)*

Global Lab student page

*These questions owe much to GREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network)

Watershed Map

A watershed map shows the area from which a major river gets its water and the smaller streams and rivers that drain into the larger river. It also shows closed basins that do not drain into the river. The border of a watershed is the highest region from which water drains into the river.

How to map:

Start with the body of water you are studying and trace each of its tributaries with a pencil. Then connect the ends of the tributaries. This is your watershed.

- Over what states, territories, or countries is your watershed located?

- What big cities are upstream from you? Downstream?

- How long is the major river? How does your river connect with the sea or ocean? In which direction does it flow (N, S, E, or W)?

- Are there places where water is diverted away diversions of water (for example, dams or irrigation systems)? What are they?)

- What types of jobs do people have who live near the river? Do these jobs make use of the river?

- What else do you notice?