• The WATER CYCLE powered by the Sun helps make a river a living river basin system.
• PLANTS powered by the Sun are vital for energy flow (food) through the basin web of life.
• The GROUND WATER SYSTEM plays an important role in sustaining the basin web of life.
• RUNOFF is water from precipitation which does NOT seep into the ground water system but flows into surface bodies of water (rivers, streams, etc.), often flooding them and destroying precious habitat.
• NATURAL ABSORBENT SURFACES allow more water to reach the ground water system than surfaces made by man, such as lawns, roads, and patios.
• MAN’S ACTIVITIES and NATURAL PHENOMENA affect the health of the ground water system and the living river basin system.

On the STUDY-TRIP, students BUILD two models of the underground water system, one with natural absorbent cover and one with developed surfaces, “RAIN” on the models, and TAKE measurements to compare and contrast the two different surfaces.

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