Hydrology Content Toolkit

What is hydrology?
Hydrology is the study of water and its movement, distribution, and quality as well as its properties and uses on Earth by humans. Water is a crucial natural resource for life on Earth. The availability of usable water is limited, and although there is plenty on the planet, it's not always in the right place, at the right time, or of the right quality.

​Hydrology has developed as a science to comprehend Earth's intricate water systems and address water-related challenges. Those who study hydrology can pursue interesting and rewarding careers focused on finding solutions to water problems.

Fast Facts!

1. "Hydro" comes from the Greek word for water.

2. Water is essential to life on our planet; without it there would be no plants or animals.

3. Water never leaves the Earth, it simply moves around through the ‘water cycle’.

4. While much of Earth's freshwater is found in the polar regions as ice caps, there is a small percentage of liquid water that is present in lakes, rivers, and aquifers.

 5. A person who studies hydrology, or hydrologists, helps monitor water around the world to see how much remains, how clean it is for human consumption, and how it can be distributed. 
  Water is Life: Water is everywhere, which is fortunate for all of humanity, as water is essential for life. Even though water is not always available in the needed quantity and quality for all people everywhere, people have learned to get and use water for all of their water needs, from drinking, cleaning, irrigating crops, producing electricity, and for just having fun!
The Water Cycle
​The central theme of hydrology is how the water circulates. This is called the water cycle. The water cycle is also known as the “hydrologic cycle“.

​Pour yourself a glass of water and take a sip. Did you know that the water you’ve just swallowed is the same water that wooly mammoths, King Tutankhamun and the first humans drank? That’s because Earth has been recycling water for over 4 billion years!

The world’s water moves between lakes, rivers, oceans, the atmosphere and the land in an ongoing cycle called – you guessed it! – the water cycle. As it goes through this continuous system, it can be a liquid (water), a gas (vapour) or a solid (ice).

Lets take a  look at the different stages of the wonderful water cycle…
Evaporation
​Energy from the sun heats up the surface of the Earth, causing the temperature of the water in our rivers, lakes and oceans to rise. When this happens, some of the water “evaporates” into the air, turning into a gas called “vapour“. Plants and trees also lose water to the atmosphere through their leaves. This process is known as “transpiration“.
Condensation
​As water vapour rises up high into the sky, it cools and turns back into a liquid, forming clouds. This process is called “condensation“. Currents high up in the air move these clouds around the globe.
How does Water Move?
  1. ​Water in the oceans, rivers and lakes evaporate to become water vapor (gas).
  2.  When the water vapor reaches a point in the sky where it is cold enough, it forms condensation/water droplets. These water droplets join together to form clouds.
  3.  As more water droplets join the cloud, the cloud becomes heavy. When the cloud is heavy enough, the water droplets will precipitate back to earth as rain or snow.
  4.  After a rainstorm, the water is collected in collection areas like streams, rivers, and under ground in aquifers.
  5.  This water cycle repeats itself over and over again.
   Fun Fact: Water can change from a solid to a gas, without becoming a liquid first. Through this process of “sublimation” our planet's ice can evaporate directly into the air without melting!
Precipitation
​When too much water has condensed, the water droplets in the clouds become too big and heavy for the air to hold them. And so they fall back down to Earth as rain, snow, hail or sleet, a process known as “precipitation“.
Collection
The fallen precipitation is then “collected” in bodies of water – such as rivers, lakes and oceans – from where it will eventually evaporate back into the air, beginning the cycle all over again. How it is collected, depends on where it lands…Some will fall directly into lakes, rivers or the sea, from where it will evaporate and begin the cycle all over again. If the water falls on vegetation, it may evaporate from leaves back into the air, or trickle down to the ground. Some of this water may then be taken up by the plant roots in the earth. In cold climates, the precipitation may build up on land as snow, ice or glaciers. If temperatures rise, the ice will melt to liquid water and then soak into the ground, or flow into rivers or the ocean. Water that reaches land directly may flow across the ground and collect in the oceans, rivers or lakes. This water is called “surface run-off“. Some of the precipitation will instead soak (or “infiltrate”) into the soil, from where it will slowly move through the ground until eventually reaching a river or the ocean.
Learn more...
Natural Sources and Ecosystems
Rivers and Streams
​A river is water that moves to an ocean, sea, lake, or another river.
Questions/Discussion​
  • Have the children been to a river before? What do they know about rivers?​
  • Rivers help us get water. How do we use water in our daily lives? (drinking, feeding animals, agriculture, activities like canoeing/kayaking)
  • Some animals live in rivers. Do you know what animals live in water?​
  • Explain that rivers move faster when they are on a slope. Explain “slope” to the children and demonstrate the meaning. Use your arms to illustrate the angles of a slope. Place a ball on your shoulder to show how it rolls down the slope of your arm. Show pictures of hills and encourage the children to point out the slopes.​
  • Ask the children if objects moved faster on the flat river or the sloped river. What else did they observe? Did the objects they put on the rivers sink or float?
Family Connection​
  • Encourage them to ask their child questions: What is a river? Did your boat go faster on the sloped river or the flat river?
  • If families live near a stream, creek or river have them take pictures and share there experiences learning and playing in these bodies of water.
  • Have families look up and learn about the rivers in their state
Learn more...
Wetlands
Wetlands are areas where the land does not drain well. The ground in a wetland is saturated, or full of water. Often the ground is covered with shallow water. Wetlands are usually classified as swamps, marshes, or bogs. The different types of wetlands have different kinds of soil and plants. Both swamps and marshes have soils that contain many minerals. They differ in their plant life. Most of the plants in swamps are trees, but marshes have grassy plants. Bogs differ from swamps and marshes because their soil has few minerals. Only mosses and a few other types of plants can grow in bogs.

Wetlands play a major role in the environment. Wetlands act as a buffer zone between dry land and bodies of water. They are home to a great variety of plants and animals which makes wetlands sensational habitats! Children will uncover the many plants and animals that make the wetlands their home. 

Did you know wetlands purify water? Wetlands help trap excessive amounts of pollutants and silt. A wetland system can also protect shorelines, cleanse polluted waters, prevent floods, and restore underground water supplies. Children will explore how wetlands benefit people, animals, and plants.
Floating Wetlands
Children will learn that plants and floating treatment wetlands are ways to help keep water healthy.​ Floating treatment wetlands, also referred to as floating wetland islands or artificial reed beds, consist of emergent aquatic plants (macrophytes) growing on a floating mat on the lake water surface, in contrast to being rooted in sediment like traditional wetlands. 
Questions/Discussion
  • Lead a class discussion by asking the students what they consider to be the characteristics of wetlands. List these characteristics on the board.
  • Show the class pictures of different types of wetlands, including swamps, fresh and saltwater marshes, and discuss the different types of plants and animals found in these wetlands.​
  • How does a wetland help improve water quality? (i.e. it slows down water, holds in pollutants)
  • Besides being a home to many plants and animals, how does a wetland help people? (i.e. it cleans water, stores water, and prevents flooding)
  • ​Ask the students how muddy water may affect fish, other wildlife and plants.
  • How might the lack of wetlands affect us as a people?
  • What might a river look like after a heavy rain if much of its wetlands have been destroyed? (Muddy.)
  • How might muddy water affect fish in a river? (It makes it hard for them to see and clogs their gills.)
  • How might muddy water affect boats and ships? (The mud settles out and fills channels important for navigation.)​
  •  Explain that when it rains, water runs off roads, houses, etc. and gets dirty. 
  • ​What type of shoes would you wear if you went to visit a wetland? What living things live in a wetland?
  • What non-living things are in a wetland?
  • Marshes (type of wetland) provide food, water, and shelter for wildlife. What are some examples of wildlife that live in or by a marsh?​​
Learn more...
Water Movement + Pipes/Plumbing
Flow is another concept that children can understand through the simple process of playing with intentionally chosen materials. Understanding water movement, flow, and plumbing is like discovering the secret pathways of a magical adventure. Imagine water as a friendly explorer, flowing through pipes and plumbing systems to reach our homes. Learning about this journey helps kids appreciate the importance of water and how it’s delivered to our taps and faucets.

Pipes are like the invisible superheroes carrying water through neighborhoods and into houses. They act as guides, ensuring water reaches every corner where it’s needed. Exploring this concept teaches kids how important it is to take care of these pipes, just like we take care of our roads, to keep the water flowing smoothly.
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Understanding plumbing isn’t just about fixing leaks or unclogging drains; it’s about appreciating the intricate system that brings water to us. Teaching kids about this process helps them become water heroes, knowing how to use water wisely and how small actions, like turning off taps, can make a big difference in conserving this precious resource for everyone. Learning about water movement and plumbing empowers kids to be mindful stewards of our planet's water.​
Pressure + Velocity  
Velocity: Explain it as the speed of water moving through the pipes. Use simple comparisons (like fast and slow) to illustrate the concept.

Pressure: Describe it as the force that pushes the water through the pipes. You can use hands-on demonstrations with different pipe widths or obstructions to illustrate this.

Picture water as an energetic friend who loves to move fast and playfully. When water travels through pipes, it experiences something called "pressure." Just like how a balloon gets squished when you press it, water feels a push from all sides in the pipes. This pressure helps water move quickly through narrow pipes and slower through wider ones, just like a race car on different tracks.

Velocity, which is how fast something moves in a certain direction, is like the speed of water rushing through these pipes. When you turn on a faucet, you control how much water comes out. The more you open it, the faster the water flows because it has more space to move through.
Understanding pressure and velocity in plumbing helps kids see how different factors affect water's movement. It’s like discovering the secret codes that make water behave in certain ways. Learning these concepts not only makes plumbing fascinating but also helps kids appreciate the engineering marvels that bring water to our homes and teaches them how to use water efficiently while having fun exploring the science behind it all.​
The Water Journey
Plumbing is like a big system of roads and pathways that help water get where it needs to go, and it's important to use water wisely so there's enough for everyone! Lets explore the the journey of water: 
  • The Water Journey: Water travels from its source (like a well or treatment plant) through big pipes called mains. These mains are like highways that carry water to different neighborhoods.
  • Into the Neighborhood: When the water reaches your neighborhood, it goes into smaller pipes called service lines. These pipes are like streets that take water to houses.
  • Inside the House: Once inside a house, the water goes through more pipes to places like sinks, showers, and toilets. These pipes are like pathways that guide water to where it’s needed.
  • Doing Chores: When you turn on a faucet or flush a toilet, you’re letting water out of the pipes. It's like opening a door and letting your friends go play outside!
  • Back on the Journey: Used water travels through pipes called drainpipes, which take it away. It goes to a treatment plant to get cleaned up before starting its journey all over again.​​
Try This!​
Investigate Further
Provide transparent plastic pipes and connectors, found in a hardware store. Children can build pipe systems, and then pour water and watch it flow down through their system into the water table or a bucket. Children are fascinated by making water flow. Provide them with opportunities to understand how flow works and what stops it as they solve problems over and over in different ways at a water table or outdoors. Pipe, connectors and water make a great lesson in physics for young children.
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Materials Needed:
  • Plastic pipes or tubes (clear ones work best to see the water flow)
  • Various connectors (elbows, T-joints, straight connectors)
  • Buckets or containers
  • Water
  • Measuring cups or containers with volume markings
  • Stickers or markers for labeling

Activities:
1. Building Water Pathways:
Assembly: Provide children with different types of pipes and connectors. Encourage them to assemble a pathway or a simple structure using the pipes. Explain how water can flow through these pipes just like it flows through plumbing at home.
Experiment: Let them pour water at one end and observe how it moves through the pathway. Discuss how the water flows differently in straight pipes, bends, or intersections.

2. Observing Water Movement:
Gravity Experiment: Set up a slightly inclined pathway with different types of pipes and let water flow through it. Discuss how gravity helps move the water and how the speed changes on different slopes.
Measuring Flow: Encourage them to measure how much water flows through different parts of the pathway in a specific time. Use measuring cups or containers with volume markings.

3. Understanding Pressure and Velocity:
Obstruction Experiment: Introduce an obstruction (like partially covering the end of a pipe) to show how it affects water flow. Discuss how it increases pressure before the obstruction and how it changes velocity after the obstruction is removed.
Exploration: Try different pipe diameters to show how narrower pipes increase pressure and affect water speed compared to wider ones.

4. Playful Learning:
Add Props: Introduce toy boats or objects that can float. Let them observe how the movement of water affects these objects differently based on velocity and pressure.
Labeling: Add stickers or draw markings on pipes to label where water flows fastest or slowest. This visual aid helps in understanding differences in velocity.
Ask Questions/Discussion
  • What happens when you turn on the tap? Where does the water come from?
  • Can you imagine how water travels from a big water source to our house? What do you think it passes through?
  • Do you know what pipes are? Where have you seen pipes before?
  • Why do you think water comes out fast from some taps and slow from others?
  • Can you pretend to be a drop of water traveling through pipes? What obstacles might you face along the way?
  • What do you think happens to the water after it goes down the drain? Where does it go?
  • How can we save water at home?​
  • Why do you think the water flows faster in some parts?
  • What happens when we change the angle of the pipes?
Family Connection
  • Look at the pips/plumbing in your house. What type of pipes do you have?  Can you follow the jorey of the water?
  • Ask your parents of a time when something got stuck in a pipe? What did we do to fix it? What was it?
  • Discuss as a family why is it important to fix leaks in pipes? Have you ever had a leak in your house? What happended?
  • Together design and build  a pipe system for a water park, what would it look like?
Learn more...
Hydropower
Water can be a powerful force in nature. Its power can be seen in floods that uproot trees or heard in the roar of a waterfall. That power, called waterpower or hydropower, can be used as an alternative energy source. Unlike fossil fuels, it cannot be used up. When waterpower is harnessed, it can be used to create electricity, or hydroelectricity.

Hydropower is power that is generated from moving water such as rivers. People have been using the power of moving water in streams and rivers for a long time to make machines work. Hydropower was one of the first ways we made electricity, and it's still a big source of renewable energy in the U.S.
Fast Facts!
  • There are over 2,000 hydroelectric power plants in the United States.
  • Many countries, such as Norway and Brazil, get a significant portion of their electricity (as much as 85%) from hydropower.
  • The largest dam and hydroelectric power plant in the world is the Three Gorges Dam in China. It provides 22,500 Megawatts of electricity!
  • Most of the dams in the United States were not built to supply power. They were built for flood control and to provide local irrigation.​​​
Renewable Energy
Hydropower is a renewable energy source. This means that using a dam or a river to generate electricity doesn't use up any limited resources like coal or gasoline.
Hydropower relies on the Water Cycle
Understanding the water cycle is important to understanding hydropower. The water cycle has three steps:
  • Solar energy heats water on the surface of rivers, lakes, and oceans, which causes the water to evaporate.
  • Water vapor condenses into clouds and falls as precipitation—rain and snow.
  • Precipitation collects in streams and rivers, which empty into oceans and lakes, where it evaporates and begins the cycle again.
The amount of precipitation that drains into rivers and streams in a geographic area determines the amount of water available for producing hydropower. Seasonal and long-term changes in rain and snowfall, such as droughts, have a big effect on hydropower production.
How do we get Power from Water?
Falling or flowing water from a big river has a lot of energy. We can harness this by forcing the water through a pipe called a penstock. As the water flows through the pipe it turns the blades of a turbine which spins an electric generator. As long as the water is flowing, the generator will be able to provide electricity.

Hydroelectric power plants are usually located in dams that are built across rivers. In a dam water is collected at a higher elevation and is then led downward through large pipes to a lower elevation. The falling water causes wheels called water turbines to rotate. The rotating turbines run machines called generators, which produce electricity.

Oceans can also be used to create hydroelectricity. Those waterpower sources are known as tidal power and wave power. Tidal power is created during the tide, when the water level along the oceanic coast changes. Wave power is harnessed by the up-and-down motion of waves.
Hydroelectric Power Plants
Because the source of hydroelectric power is water, hydroelectric power plants are usually located on or near a water source. The volume of the water flow and the change in elevation (or fall) from one point to another determine the amount of available energy in moving water. In general, the greater the water flow and the higher the fall, the more electricity a hydropower plant can produce. A big river, such as the Columbia River that forms the border between Oregon and Washington, carries a great deal of energy in its flow. Water descending rapidly from a high point, such as Niagara Falls in New York, also has substantial energy in its flow.

At hydropower plants, water flows through a pipe, or penstock, then pushes against and turns blades in a turbine to spin a generator to produce electricity.
There are three main ways that engineers design hydroelectric power plants:
  • Storage System - The storage system uses a dam. The dam slows the flow of a river and stores up water in a lake. A portion of the water is released into the river at the bottom of the dam. The fall of the water, and the water pressure from the lake, forces the water through the dam and spins turbine generators. Dams are expensive to build, but they also help control flooding, can create a large recreational lake, and can provide fresh water for surrounding towns.
  • Run-of-the-river System - In a run-of-the-river system the turbines are spun by the natural flow of the river. These systems have the advantage of not creating a huge lake and flooding the area above the dam. As a result, they have less overall impact on the environment. However, in order to provide continuous electricity, the river they use must stay full throughout the year, as the flow is not regulated by a dam.
  • Pumped Storage System - This system is like the storage system except it uses pumps to pump used water back up into the reservoir. The way this works is that during the night, when electricity use is much less, it uses the extra electricity to pump the water back up to the top of the dam and refill the reservoir. This improves the overall efficiency of the hydropower plant.
History of Hydropower
Using rivers to power mechanical devices is not a new concept. Waterpower has been in use for thousands of years. The waterwheel was probably invented in the 1st century BCE. Ancient Romans used it to grind grain. It was widely used throughout the Middle Ages and into modern times. Water turbines were first introduced in 1827. They were used originally for irrigation. Today, water turbines are used almost exclusively to generate electric power.​  The first hydroelectric power plant was built in Wisconsin in 1882. Since then, many more power plants have been built in the United States including the Hoover Dam in 1936 and the Grand Coulee Dam in 1942.
Learn more...
Water Filtration + Pollution
What is in that water that you just drank? Is it just hydrogen and oxygen atoms? Is it safe for drinking? All water is of a certain "quality" (and you can't tell by just looking), but what does "water quality" really mean? Water full of dirt and grime might work fine for a tomato plant but would you want to drink it? Water quality can be thought of as a measure of the suitability of water for a particular use based on selected physical, chemical, and biological characteristics.

Can you purify dirty water with a water filtration system? Learn about filtration and make your own water filter at home or in the classroom. Water filtration is a process by which impurities or particles are removed from a fluid, either a liquid or a gas. The liquid, or feed, is poured over a filter, which catches particles and allows filtered liquid, or filtrate, to move through it.
Try These!
  Fun Fact: One of the keys to achieving cleaner water with your filter model is to slow down the water flow through various materials. What combination of materials will allow the water to flow slowly?
Questions/Discussion
  • Does the order of materials matter? Why or why not? (Hint, the answer is yes!)
  • Do different materials filter smaller particles or bigger particles?
  • Does the water get cleaner if you run it through the filter more than once or twice?
  • What other suggestions do you have for filtering water?
Water Quality
What is in that water that you just drank? Is it just hydrogen and oxygen atoms? Is it safe for drinking? All water is of a certain "quality" (and you can't tell by just looking), but what does "water quality" really mean? Water full of dirt and grime might work fine for a tomato plant but would you want to drink it? Water quality can be thought of as a measure of the suitability of water for a particular use based on selected physical, chemical, and biological characteristics.
Water Pollution
Water is life. But we take it for granted and indulge in activities that pollute water bodies. Water pollution leads to the destruction of wildlife and impacts both the environment and human health. It is vital to share water pollution facts for kids to let them know the adverse effects.

Water pollution is defined as any change in the water that renders it unusable and harmful for living organisms.  In other words, water gets so bad that you cannot drink it, bathe in it, wash clothes, or give it to animals. Water gets polluted when unwanted substances enter it and change its composition. The unwanted material is what we call a pollutant. Not just freshwater but seawater, too, is prone to several types of pollution.​
Causes of Water Pollution
  • Natural Causes of Water Pollution: Sometimes water pollution can occur through natural causes like volcanoes, algae blooms, animal waste, and silt from storms and floods.
  • Human Causes of Water Pollution: A lot of water pollution comes from human activity. Some human causes include sewage, pesticides and fertilizers from farms, waste water and chemicals from factories, silt from construction sites, and trash from people littering.
  • Oil Spills: Some of the most famous incidents of water pollution have been oil spills. One was the Exxon Valdez oil spill which occurred when an oil tanker hit a reef off the coast of Alaska and over 11 million gallons of oil spilled into the ocean. Another bad oil spill was the Deepwater Horizon oil spill when an explosion at an oil well caused over 200 million gallons to spill into the Gulf of Mexico.​
  • Acid Rain: Air pollution can also have a direct effect on water pollution. When particles like sulfur dioxide get high into the air they can combine with rain to produce acid rain. Acid rain can turn lakes acidic, killing fishes and other animals.​
Types of Water Pollutants
There are many sources of water pollution. Here are a few of the major causes:
  • Sewage - Even today sewage is flushed directly into streams and rivers in many areas around the world. Sewage can introduce harmful bacteria that can make people and animals very sick.
  • Farm animal waste - Waste from large herds of farm animals such as pigs and cows can get into the water supply from the runoff of rain and large storms.
  • Pesticides and herbicides - Pesticides are often sprayed on crops to kill bugs and herbicides are sprayed to kill weeds. These strong chemicals can get into the water through runoff of rain storms. They can also contaminate rivers and lakes through accidental spills.
  • Construction, floods, and storms - Silt from construction, earthquakes, floods, and storms can lower the oxygen content in the water and suffocate fish.
  • Factories - Factories often use a lot of water to process chemicals, keep engines cool, and for washing things away. The used waste water is sometimes dumped into rivers or the ocean. It can be full of pollutants.
What are the Effects of Water Pollution
  • Effects on the Environment: Water pollution can have disastrous effects on the environment. Pollution in the water can reach a point where there isn't enough oxygen in the water for the fish to breathe. The fish can actually suffocate! Sometimes pollution affects the entire food chain. Small fishes absorb pollutants, such as chemicals, into their bodies. Then bigger fishes eat the smaller fishes and get the pollutants too. Birds or other animals may eat the bigger fishes and be harmed by the pollutants. 
  • Sewage can also cause major problems in rivers. Bacteria in the water will use oxygen to break down the sewage. If there is too much sewage, the bacteria could use up so much oxygen that there won't be enough left for the fish.
  • Water pollution from major events like acid rain or oil spills can completely destroy marine habitats.​
  • Effects on Health: One of the most precious and important commodities for life on planet Earth is clean water. For over 1 billion people on the planet, clean water is nearly impossible to get. Dirty, polluted water can make them sick and is especially tough on young children. Some bacteria and pathogens in water can make people so sick they can die.​
Fast Facts!
  • Soap from washing your car can run down the street drain and cause water pollution.
  • Only around 1% of the Earth's water is fresh water. The rest is salty and we can't drink it.
  • Around 40% of the rivers and lakes in the United States are too polluted for fishing or swimming.
  • The Mississippi River carries around 1.5 million tons of pollution into the Gulf of Mexico each year.
  • Between 5 and 10 million people die each year from water pollution related illnesses.
Questions/Discussion
  • An important part of these water filter experiments is also making sure that children realize that even though their water looks clean and clear, it is not safe to drink. Depending where you got your water, there are lots of tiny bits of bacteria and maybe even bugs, that we cannot see. When water is properly cleaned all of those extra things in the water, that can make us sick, are removed.
  • If you have a microscope, you could look at the dirty and clean water on a slide to compare. This would also be a great opportunity to show children the microscopic things in the water. Or you could compare the water you filtered with drinking water​​
Family Connection: What can you do to help? 
  • Save water - Fresh and clean water is a precious resource. Don't waste it! Take shorter showers, ask your parents not to water the lawn, make sure the toilet isn't running, and don't leave the faucet running.
  • Don't use weed killer - Ask your parents if you can pull the weeds in the yard so they don't need to use weed killer (an herbicide).
  • Scrape your plates clean into the trash and don't put grease into the kitchen drain.
  • Trash - Always pick up your trash, especially when at the beach, lake, or river.
  NOT so Fun Fact:  Several water-dwelling species, including sperm whales, the Hawaiian monk seal, and the Pacific loggerhead sea turtle, are endangered due to water pollution.
Learn more...
Dive Deeper with Aquifers 
Aquifers are amazing!! Children will learn how water passes through the layers of an aquifer and how groundwater can become contaminated by pollution.
  • Children will learn what pollution is and how it can affect our water.
  • Children will learn what an aquifer is and how water passes through the different layers.
  •  This lesson can be used to illustrate how water is stored in an aquifer, how groundwater can become contaminated, and how this contamination ends up in a drinking water source. Ultimately, students should get a clear understanding of how careless use and disposal of harmful contaminants above the ground can potentially end up in the drinking water below the ground. 
Try This
  • Learn how how careless use and disposal of harmful contaminants above the ground can potentially end up in the drinking water below the ground -Build an Aquifer
What are Aquifers? 
Many communities obtain their drinking water from underground sources called aquifers. Water suppliers or utility officials drill wells through soil and rock into 
aquifers to access the ground water contained within to supply the public with drinking water. Homeowners that cannot obtain their drinking water from a public water supply, have their own private wells drilled on their property to access drinking water. Groundwater contamination happens with improper use or disposal of 
harmful chemicals (lawn care products and household cleaners). These chemicals can enter the soil and rock, polluting the aquifer, and eventually, the well. Such 
contamination can pose a significant threat to human health. The requirements by well owners and water plant operators to protect or clean up contaminated aquifers 
are quite costly.

Key points about our drinking water:
  •  Many communities obtain their drinking water from underground sources called aquifers.
  •  Wells are drilled through the soil and rock into the aquifers for access to the ground water.
  •  Water is pumped out to drink.
  •  Ground water can become polluted from chemicals and other items.
  •  We have to protect our ground water from pollutants, so the people, animals and plants can drink clean, safe water
Questions/Discussion
  • Ask the children to think about different pieces of trash they have thrown out this week. Make a list on chart paper. Have the children talk about how it could pollute our soil and the earth. 
  •  Find pictures of polluted water and discuss the pictures with the children. Ask the children if the water they swim and bathe in looks like the water in the pictures. Or if they would like to swim in that water. 
  • Ask if they would want to drink that water. Ask if they think the fish like to swim in that water.
  •  Brainstorm with the children how we can keep our drinking water and our ponds, streams, lakes and oceans clean and free from pollution. 
  •  Find items in the room or on the playground that could pollute our drinking water.
  •  Have you seen  trash items in your local rivers, lakes, or other water sources? 
  •  What can you tell others about the dangers of throwing their trash in the water?
Family Connection
  • Have the children take home their aquifer.
  •  Encourage the children to show their family their aquifer and explain how to keep our drinking water safe and clean.
  •  Have the family go on a pollution hunt. Find items that could damage our ​drinking water in the neighborhood. 
  •  Create an aquifer as a family activity.
Ground Water
Groundwater is a vital and often unseen resource that underlies the Earth's surface, present universally regardless of geographic location. Originating from precipitation, similar to surface water, groundwater exhibits diverse movement patterns, ranging from swift to gradual. Eventually, it resurfaces, actively participating in the global water cycle.

Notably, groundwater, extracted from beneath the Earth's surface, proves cost-effective, convenient, and less susceptible to pollution compared to surface water. This makes it a preferred choice for public water supplies. In the United States, groundwater stands as the predominant source of usable water storage, surpassing the capacity of all surface reservoirs and even the Great Lakes. Some regions solely rely on groundwater, underscoring its indispensable role in sustaining municipalities.
Surface Water
​Surface water is the most recognizable part of the water cycle that we can see. Lakes and rivers may be the first types of surface water that come to mind but don't forget those snowbanks in your front yard! We think of oceans when we think of surface water but did you remember to add glaciers to your list? 

Cities usually get their water from nearby rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Hydrologists play a crucial role in helping cities manage their water supply. They collect and analyze data, such as rainfall, snowpack depths, and river flows, to predict water availability for future needs. Hydrologists also study records from government agencies, assessing how much river flow is already being used.

Reservoir management is complex, with hydrologists using maps and photos to determine shorelines, depths, and storage capacity. They consider factors like release timing, flow predictions, and the needs of various users, including irrigation, cities, and downstream users. If a reservoir is used for recreation or hydroelectric power, those needs are factored in. Hydrologists use computer models to predict outcomes under different strategies, helping reservoir managers make informed decisions.

Hydrologists also address water pollution concerns, assisting public health officials in monitoring water quality. They collaborate with environmental engineers to develop sampling programs, ensuring compliance with health standards. Hydrologists monitor estuaries, streams, rivers, and lakes, assessing the health of aquatic life. They study issues like acid rain and the behavior of toxic substances. Mathematical models help predict water quality effects, and hydrologists conduct on-site analyses as well as more sophisticated laboratory tests.

While sewage was a major pollution source in the past, today's awareness has led to significant investments in pollution control. Challenges include identifying and controlling sources like road salts, storm runoff, and erosion from construction sites. Overall, hydrologists play a vital role in safeguarding water resources and public health.
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Water Conservation/Sustainability
Much of our water use is hidden. Think about what you had for lunch. A hamburger, for example, requires water to raise wheat for the bun, to grow hay and corn to feed the cattle and to process the bread and beef. Together with French fries and a soft drink, this all-American meal uses about 1,500 gallons of water — enough to fill a small swimming pool. How about your clothes? To grow cotton for a pair of jeans takes about 400 gallons. A shirt requires about 400 gallons. How do you get to school or to the store? To produce the amount of finished steel in a car has in the past required about 32,000 gallons of water. Similarly, the steel in a 30-pound bicycle required 480 gallons. Everything uses water and a lot of it!  This shows that industry must continue to strive to reduce water use through manufacturing processes that use less water, and through recycling of water.
Try This
As guardians of young minds, we play a crucial role in shaping the future. In this guide, we'll explore the exciting world of water conservation and sustainability, offering practical tips and engaging activities to empower both you and your young learners to become advocates for our precious planet. By incorporating these strategies, you can foster a sense of environmental stewardship in your students, equipping them with the knowledge and enthusiasm to become lifelong advocates for water conservation and sustainability. Together, let's nurture a generation of little water stewards who will make a big impact on the health of our planet. Thank you for guiding our future environmental leaders! ​
  • ​Understanding the Importance of Water: Begin your water conservation journey by discussing with your students the fundamental role water plays in our lives. Share age-appropriate information about the water cycle, emphasizing the finite nature of this invaluable resource. Encourage questions and curiosity to lay the groundwork for a deeper understanding.
  • Teaching the ABCs of Water Conservation: Introduce the concept of water conservation using simple language and relatable examples. Discuss daily activities where water is used, such as washing hands or watering plants, and brainstorm ways to do these activities more responsibly. Consider creating a classroom pledge where children commit to small actions like turning off taps when not in use.
  • Interactive Learning through Play: Children learn best through play, so incorporate water-saving games into your lessons. From counting water drops to matching water-related images, turn the learning experience into an interactive and enjoyable adventure. These games not only educate but also instill a sense of responsibility and fun in water conservation.
  • Hands-On Activities for Sustainability: Engage your students in hands-on, eco-friendly projects to deepen their understanding of sustainability. Planting a classroom garden, creating recycled watering cans, or designing water-wise posters can instill a sense of pride and accomplishment while promoting the importance of caring for our environment.
  • Aqua, the Classroom Water Ambassador: Introduce Aqua, a friendly water droplet character, as the class mascot. Make Aqua the ambassador for water-saving initiatives, and encourage students to share their water-saving achievements or ideas with Aqua. This personification can make the concept more relatable and enjoyable for young minds.
  • Educational Resources and Visual Aids: Utilize age-appropriate resources and visual aids to enhance your teaching. Incorporate videos, storybooks, and educational posters that highlight the significance of water conservation. These tools can serve as valuable supplements to your lessons and capture the attention of young learners.
  • Understanding Water's Role in Food Production: Begin by introducing the concept of water's role in growing the food we eat. Discuss how fruits, vegetables, and grains need water to grow and thrive. What about livestock?  How much water is needed in animal agriculture? Engage students in conversations about the journey of food from farm to table, emphasizing the essential role of water in this process and whys we can eat more sustainably. Encourage discussions about making sustainable food choices. Discuss the benefits of local produce, seasonal eating, and the impact of food transportation on water resources. Empower students to make small changes, like choosing water-efficient crops, reducing food waste, reducing animal consumption, as a part of their commitment to water-conscious living.
  • Field Trips and Guest Speakers: Organize field trips or invite local experts to share insights on water conservation. Visiting a water treatment facility or having a guest speaker discuss the importance of sustainable practices can provide real-world context, making the learning experience more tangible and memorable.
  • Creating Water Ambassadors: Empower your students to become water ambassadors within their families and communities. Encourage them to share their  newfound knowledge and habits, creating a ripple effect of positive change beyond the classroom.
  Fun Fact:  How does the amount of water it takes to grow broccoli compare to strawberries?
On an area of land the size of a football field: 81,000 gallons of water for 15,000 heads of broccoli, 1.1 million gallons of water for 1 million almonds, 200,000 gallons of water for 500,000 strawberries
Questions/Discussion
  • What kinds of water waste might individual families and communities be able to reduce? ​
  • What are ways that you use water at home? Do you think you waste any water at home (use more than you could if you changed your behavior)?
  • What is water waste? When or how is water wasted? What are some other sources of water waste at home?
  • What determines whether or not people have access to clean water? What are the challenges that different people deal with to get clean water?​
  • What are some water sustainability issues we are facing around the world?
  • What controls whether or not people have access to clean freshwater?
  • What can happen when we pump too much water out of the ground? What accounts for the depletion of groundwater?
  • Does it take more water to grow crops or raise animals? How does the amount of water needed to raise farm animals compare to the water needed to grow
    fruits and vegetables? Why is so much more water needed to raise animals?
  • What other factors might come into play when making your decision about what to produce on your
    farm? (my total area of land, my annual availability of water, market prices for each product, my personal preferences (e.g. pigs are smelly!), how long it takes to raise animals vs. plants, etc.)    ​
Family Connection​
  • Do you know how much water was used to grow your food and to produce your clothes and the things you buy?-Calculate your water footprint
  • As a family explore water use habits and ways they can reduce water waste in their home using a water calculator from the Alliance for Water Efficiency and a leaky faucet calculator from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Water Science School.
  • As a family evaluate your own environmental impact using an online tool called Your Plan, Your Planet, and evaluate simple ways to reduce their ecological footprint as an individual or community.
  • Have the students make 2 lists with their families: What do they currently do to save water and what can they start to do to help conserve?
  • Here are a few ways that kids & families can get involved in saving water resources. ​
  • Check out the Water Footprint of Food Guide to learn your food’s water footprint.
  • Find ways to stop wasting food and remember that discarded food wastes all the resources it took to produce that food, including water.
Learn more...
What do Hydrologists Do? 
Hydrologists use scientific knowledge and mathematical principles to address water-related issues in society, such as problems with quantity, quality, and availability. Their concerns may include securing water supplies for cities, managing irrigation for farms, and preventing river flooding or soil erosion. Some hydrologists focus on environmental protection, working to prevent or clean up pollution and identify safe disposal sites for hazardous wastes.

Professionals in hydrology can have various job titles, including scientists and engineers. They may engage in field investigations, overseeing water quality testing, directing field crews, and working with equipment. Fieldwork often involves travel, sometimes internationally, and may require working in remote and challenging terrains.

Sample Hydrology Activities

Miniature Model Water Cycle​
Model the Water Cycle​
Make a Cloud
Harvest Water from Fog
Track Rainfall 
Rising Sea Levels
Model Water Bodies
Water in Underground Aquifers​
How Much Water Does Soil Hold?​
 Our Growing Need for Water
 Distribution of water
ideas from Science Buddies

Move Hydrology Videos
More Videos: Watch simple explanations of Hydrology and related concepts. Click the link to browse through all study tools.

Key Words

  • ​Evaporation: water changes into air 
  • Condensation: wet air turns into water droplets or rain
  • Precipitation: rain falling from the clouds and reaching the ground
  • Water Cycle: the process of water moving around between air and land
  • Observe: to watch carefully
  • Collection: an area where water pools
  • Water vapor: water in a gas form
  • Ice: water in a solid form
  • Condensation: the process of cooling water that turns it from a gas (water vapor) back into a liquid
  • Infiltration: when water moves down through the ground
  • Runoff: when water travels over the top of the ground and back into a stream, river or sea
  • Transpiration: the process of water evaporating out of the leaf of a plant or tree.
  • Ocean: a very large area of sea. There are usually considered to be five main oceans (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Artic.
  • River: a flow of water that leads to the sea. A river is a larger flow of water than a stream.
  • Stream: a flow of water that usually leads into a river. A stream is a smaller flow of water than a river.
  • Aquifer: an underground reservoir of water
  • Reservoir: an area where water is stored
  • Cloud: condensed water (water vapor) that is visible in the atmosphere
  • Hydropower: the method of changing the kinetic energy from falling water into electrical energy
  • Slope: when one part is higher than another part
  • Erosion: when something makes part of the land go away
  • Organism: is a living thing that can function on its own. 
  • Wetland: places where there is shallow water or soaking wet soil at least part of the year (marsh/swamp) ... it is a home to many plants, animals, and insects
  • Float: stays at the top of the water; does not sink to the bottom
  • Roots: the part of a plant that takes in water
  • Ecosystem: a community or group of living organisms that live in and interact with each other in a specific environment
  • Habitat: a home for plants and animals ​
  • Pollution: is anything that makes the healthy dirty; soil pollution example, trash or chemicals on the ground; air pollution example, smoke in the air; water pollution example, oil or trash in the water
  • Filter: an item or items that helps clean the water
  • Sustainability: the ability of a system to last or endure; meeting current human needs without endangering our descendants

Concepts Related to Hydrology

If your class is interested in studying hydrology and you choose to facilitate a hydrology investigation, consider using any 3 or 4 concepts listed below. Choosing a limited number of concepts based on children's interests helps to narrow down the research required by teachers. It also helps teachers shape the investigation by diving deeper into the chosen content instead of feeling pressure to cover all concepts related to the topic. Choosing what's most relevant to the children in your class helps everyone get the most out of the investigation. 
Water Cycle
Ecosystems/Movement of Water
Weather/Erosion
​Pressure + Velocity  
Filtration/Sediments
Water Pollution
Water Conservation/Sustainability
Hydropower

Hydrology Songs

Books about Hydrology

Click on the link to purchase from Amazon.

Hydrology Resources and References

https://flbs.umt.edu/newflbs/media/2052/flare_water-cycle_vocabulary-foldable_lesson-plan_final.pdf  

https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school 

https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/science/nature/water-cycle/ 

https://www.ducksters.com/science/environment/hydropower.php
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