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Grade 8 · Water Systems · Watersheds and Water Sustainability

Investigate a Watershed Decision

A watershed is the land area that drains water to a shared outlet. Water links upstream and downstream places, communities, ecosystems, groundwater, infrastructure, and the atmosphere.

Visual model

See how the ideas connect

Look · connect · explain
Start at the centre. Follow each line and explain how that idea belongs to Watersheds and Water Sustainability.

For students

Notice, predict, explain

Choose one part of the model. Predict how it connects to another part, then use the lesson evidence to explain your thinking.

For teachers

Pause for science talk

Show the model before the explanation. Ask “What do you notice?” and “What might change?” Then revisit student ideas after the worked example.

The big idea

Water decisions travel through connected systems

Precipitation, runoff, infiltration, groundwater, evaporation, water use, treatment, land cover, pollution, and climate interact across watershed boundaries and over time.

Work it through

Evaluate a new paved development

  1. Step 1 More impervious surface can increase rapid runoff and reduce infiltration that replenishes groundwater.
  2. Step 2 Runoff may carry sediment, nutrients, salt, oil, and warmer water into streams, changing water-quality indicators and habitat.
  3. Step 3 Wetlands, permeable surfaces, vegetation, careful storage, monitoring, and reduced contaminant use can reduce impacts.
  4. Step 4 A responsible plan considers downstream communities, water treatment, drought and flood risk, Indigenous rights and knowledge, costs, and long-term climate conditions.