Part A: Reservoirs on the Colorado River.

Stop and Think

1.      Consider what the "squiggly lines" on the graphs of page 2 in the "How Low Can it Go?" article really mean... Use the graph of Lake Mead levels to describe a brief history of the reservoir. Tell when and how the reservoir got started, how long it took to fill, and mention events that affected its level.

The squiggly lines on the graph on page 2 represent how much water the lake had in it at that given time.  It calculates how close to being full it was.  They are able to track the effects of the drought through these graphs and measurements.  The Lake Mead reservoir was built for many reasons; the main reason was for providing water supply.  It appears to have been built in 1937.  It was low in the 1950’s due to a drought and in 1967 it was low due to the filling of Lake Powell. 

It steadily declined from 2000-2004 due to a multi-year drought. 

    2. Beginning in 1964, how long did it take to capture enough water to fill both of the large    reservoirs?

 

From the graph it appears that it took approximately 19-20 years before both reservoirs were filled to their capacity.  

3. The levels of Lake Powell and Lake Mead both show steep declines in the past decade. What are the two things that control the level of a reservoir?

Two things that control the level of the reservoir are how much precipitation we receive and the demand that the population is requiring to provide enough water to everyone. 

4. Compare snowpack in a watershed to a dam on a river. How are they alike? How are they different?

A watershed is similar to a basin where all the water drains from precipitation and collects in that area.  I believe the difference between the two is that a watershed collects surface water where a dam collects underground water.

5. What effect does the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) have on water supplies to the Colorado River Basin?

ENSO has a modest effect on the water supply to the Colorado River Basin unless it is during a strong El Nino event.

6. How does increasing population of sunbelt cities in the Lower Colorado River Basin contribute to lowering reservoir levels?

The Colorado River provides water and electricity for most of the Southwest.  Large cities include Los Angeles, Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, Denver and Albuquerque.  As these cities continue to grow the demand on the Colorado River increased causing lower reservoir levels.  

7. In your own words, describe what's responsible for lower reservoir levels in the Colorado River Basin.

I feel that the reservoir is lowering in the Colorado River Basin because many of the cities it supplies to have become “top spots” to live.  As people flood to these areas the demand is just too much for it to continue.  Our lifestyles today also use more water- people in dry cities want green lawns and that takes a lot of water to keep up.  I also think our weather affects it.  This year has been very dry for us and we have had very little rain and even less snow.  I have been waiting for our last storm of the winter season, but, the way things are going I am not sure we are going to have it.

8. List at least 3 possible impacts of the decline in water storage on the Colorado River.

Water being used exceeds the water coming in.

Drier weather.

Increased population equals higher demand.  

9. Calculate the percent increase in AZ water consumption between the years 1906 and 2008.

There is no data for 1906 or 2008.  Calculating the data provided beginning at the year 1914 and ending at 2005 I found an increase of 33185%.

10. Based on the data in this section, describe what do you think will happen if the consumption of Colorado River Water continues to grow at its present rate. Have we reached the carrying capacity of the watershed? Explain your reasoning.

I think that if we continue to use water the way we are using it the Colorado River will dry out and there will be no water to supply people.  It will be like the Great Depression but, with water.  I believe that we have reached the capacity of the watershed because at this time they aren’t even close to being full.  

11. Given that long term changes in climate are reducing inflows into the reservoir, and that outflows through Hoover Dam are growing to meet demand by an increasing population, what is the projected result in the reservoir? What would you need to know in order to predict the date of the result?

I think that eventually the dam will not hold any water because as it comes in it will be going right out.  In order to predict this outcome you would need to now demand and supply.

12. Based on data you examined in this lesson as well as other sources, do you think that reservoirs in arid lands prevent or merely postpone water shortages?

I think at one time with the demand and the population was lower it prevented water shortages.  Now that the demand is so high I think it is just a matter of time until we suffer from a water shortage.  

13. List the title of the photograph you chose and write a short paragraph to summarize the issue it illustrates.

I did not see the name of the print I picked.  I looked through all the prints and the first one stood out to me.  It is a photo taken by Vincent Laforet of a helitanker dumping water on a hot spot in the Zaca fire.  This fire took place in 2007 and scorched over 240,000 acres.  This picture stood out to me because I used to be a hotshot and this is a familiar site.  This also stood out to me because during times of drought there is a lot of precious water being used to save our land.  I feel this picture represents yet another way that the demand is greater than the supply.

 14. Summarize the positive outlook with which the researchers end the article.

I think the positive outlook that the researchers of this article give are that with knowledge and an idea of what to expect with our water situation that we can be prepared.  Cities have already implemented laws to save water.  With the data that they gather they would be able to set up some sort of water usage schedule. 

Checking In

• Describe the trend of water use in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, and the country of Mexico.

Due to population and lifestyles all of these places are using more water than they are bringing in.  Many states have implemented water laws. California has been known to borrow water from other states. 

• How does water use in the states compare to the natural flow of the Colorado River (see graph in Part B) over the same time period?

The graph continues to show that our usage is much higher than the natural flow of the Colorado River.  Changes will need to be put into place if we don’t want to have a water shortage.

• How might the change in water levels affect you as a recreational boater? Give a specific example, naming features that are labeled in the pair of images.

Water levels affect recreational boaters because you would have limited area to take your boat due to low water levels.  Low water levels are a threat to the propellers and would do damage to the bottom of the boat.  Recreational boaters would also not be able to water ski in shallow water. 

Ecosytem

Rainforest

1. What is the function of the Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS)?

The function of the Center for Tropical Forest Science is to study tropical and temperate forest function and diversity.  

2. Why are the trees given the title of “engineers” of the tropical rain forest?

Trees are given the title of engineers because they provide the habitat that all the organisms depend.

3. Why does a high-density species suffer greater mortality rates than rare density species?

High density species are more popular and usually killed off at a faster rate.  The rarer a density species is the fewer predators it will have.

4. Why do tropical rainforests have such immense diversity? How do they maintain their diversity?

 The different trees are unique to the environment and its organisms.  The common species is easily      attacked by predators when it is a seedling.  The trees become specialists to maintain their diversity.  

5. What role do tropical forests play in stabilizing climate and atmosphere?

Tropical Forest plays a role in stabilizing the climate and atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide.  Scientists have discovered that too much carbon dioxide changes the climate. 

Yellowstone National Park

6. What is the focus of Robert Crabtree’s research project in Yellowstone National Park?

The cascade effect on the ecosystem after the wolf was removed from the park and then returned.  R4ejhn4 on the ecosystem after the wolf was removed from the park and then returned.  

7. What was the cascade effect of the elimination of the Park’s wolf population after 1926? Consider the following in your answer: willow, beaver, and elk populations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Removing the wolves from the park enabled the elk to repopulate.  The down fall was they ended up with so many elk that they were eating up the vegetation such as willows that other species such as the beaver depended on.  The beavers suffered because of this and grew scarce.

8. Food chains and webs can be shaped from the “top down” or from the “bottom up.” Which of these two categories best describes the wolf reintroduction project of 1995 and 1996?

The food chain and web that best describes the reintroduction of the wolves would be top down.  The wolves are at the top of the food chain.  

9. What are the “hot spots“ in Yellowstone and how are they important to the wolf reintroduction research project?                                                                                                                                                        The hotspots in Yellowstone are riperian systems – areas along streams, rivers and lakes.  These spots are necessary for species to survive in Yellowstone.  What researchers have found is that in the areas where the wolves were reintroduced and scared the elk the willow tree is thriving.  In order to survive a willow tree has to grow taller than the browsing level of the elk.

10. How can the data from a tropical rainforest that explains species diversity and abundance be helpful in managing and protecting temperate forests such as those in Yellowstone National Park or any other ecosystem on earth?

This data would show other tropical rainforest scientists how effective the wolf reintroduction was to Yellowstone and how it has affected wild life and vegetation.  

11. Sketch or represent in some way the pyramid of energy flow for willows, beavers, elk, and wolves in Yellowstone National Park. Label the percent of high quality energy that persists at each level.

VIRTUAL/PERSONAL FIELD TRIP LAB---A RIVER OR STREAM NEAR YOU

1.       What is the name of your chosen river or stream?

The lake I chose to visit was Watson Lake located in the Granite Dells.

2.       In general, where is its location in your state? How far is it from your home?

Watson Lake is located in Prescott, Arizona.  It is located approximately 20 minutes from my home.

3.       Insert a photo that you took of the location you will address in this lab.

4.       Insert a photo of you at this location.

5.       Into what river does this body of water flow?

Watson Lake flows into Granite Creek that was dammed up in the early 1900’s to create Watson Lake.

6.       Name three native fish in this body of water. Write their common names and scientific names using one of these formats:

There are 34 native fish in Arizona listed on the Arizona Game and Fish Department website but, none of these match the names of fish listed in Watson Lake. 

7.       Name three non-native fish here. Write their common names and scientific names using proper format as above.

Crappie (proxomis), bluegills (Lepomis Macrochirus) , green sunfish (Lepomis Cyanellus)(http://www.arizona-leisure.com/watson-lake.html)

8.       Who is the managing agency for this river or stream?

City of Prescott Parks and Recreation bought the rights to the lake in 1997 and have managed the lake since.

9.       What is the mission of this agency?

The mission statement taken off of the City of Prescott website states: “To preserve, protect and enhance the parklands, public open spaces, trails and lakes of the City of Prescott for the benefit of its citizens and the ecological health of the region. To maintain leisure services system that is responsive to and directed by the diverse and changing needs of the community we serve. To plan for the future growth and expansion of park facilities, lake properties, open spaces, trails, recreation programs and library services. To construct, operate and maintain parks, recreation facilities, trails and library services in a safe, aesthetically pleasing and efficient manner.” (www.cityof Prescott.net)

10.   Why are native fish important? (Think specifically about one of the three principles of sustainability.)

Native fish are important to the environment because they are good for the ecosystem.  If we take in fish that are not native it affects our ecosystem. Native fish are also important to the state’s identity and culture. According to the video we watch from Mayer Von Gausig’s only about half of are native fish exsist due Humans, Dams and the non-native fish introduced to our lakes and rivers.

11.   Name five local fish that are at risk in your area and why each is at risk. If no fish are at risk, why are they doing well? Write their common names and scientific names using one of these formats:

Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei) 
Bonytail chub (Gila elegans) 
Chub, Gila Entire (Gila intermedia) 
Chub, humpback Entire (Gila cypha) 
Chub, Virgin River Entire (Gila seminuda (=robusta)) 
http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/pub/stateListingIndividual.jsp?state=AZ&status=listed

These are five fish that are endangered in Arizona but, I did not find them where I live. There are many reasons why native fish are endangered they include pollution, water supply, predators, fishing and the non-native fish kill them off. 

12.  View Mayor Von Gausig’s videos. Compare the Verde River with your chosen body of water. To do so, while at the site note, and discuss in a nice paragraph or two, characteristics of the channel, width and depth of river, vegetation, human population influences, wildlife, and anything else that might be significant. If you choose the Verde River, describe it in terms of the criteria, above

Watson Lake is a 70 acre man -made lake with an average depth of 50 feet.  Vegetation at Watson Lake includes Aspen, Cottonwood, Oak trees and various other vegetation.  Many visitors enjoy going to Watson Lake to fish, bird watch, hike and go out on the lake in their boats.  Watson Lake features an Audobon endorsed bird watching area.  Wildlife includes over a 100 species of birds, antelope, deer and rabbits. 

This Lake is hard to compare to the Verde River because that is a running body of water.  The pictures I took at Watson Lake do not do it justice because it is usually a rich blue color.  Since doing this project I was surprised to read about the pollution that took place in Watson Lake and why swimming is not allowed at this lake.  All in all this lake has a beautiful panoramic view of rocks, vegetation and wildlife.    

13.   Name two things you learned from your research that surprised you or two things you were especially interested in.

I was surprised that there were no native fish in Watson Lake.  I was also surprised that it was difficult to find factual information on the lake verses opinions and reviews for tourists.

14.   What are two new questions you now have about rivers, streams, fish, management, or anything else you discovered?

I would like to do more research on why we are not stocking the lakes with native fish of Arizona and why the native fish are so unfamiliar to me.