Groundwater Concepts
suggested grade levels: 9-12
view Idaho achievement standards for this lesson

Objectives:
1. Students will become exposed to the Digital Atlas.
2. Students will become aware of how important groundwater is to their lives.

Procedure:
Encourage your students to use the groundwater resources section of the Digital Atlas of Idaho. To get there: Click on Atlas Home, mouse-over Hydrology, then click on Groundwater Resources. Give your students the opportunity to learn by having them explore the site, encourage them to click on the links so they can view all of the good pictures. Have them complete the following worksheet. For a printable pdf copy of this worksheet you can give your students, just click below on Handout Sample.

Handouts/Activities:
These are links to access the handouts and printable materials.
hydr4ho.pdf | hydr4AK.pdf | Groundwater Resources

Snake River Plain (SRP) Aquifer
   1. In general, where does the water in Snake River Plain aquifer come from? Where does it go?
   2. How long can the residence time of groundwater in Southeast Idaho be?
Agriculture & Irrigation
   3. The extensive irrigation system on the agricultural fields of the Snake River Plain is the primary reason that Idaho has the highest per capita water consumption in the U.S. What effect does irrigation have on the rivers and the aquifer?
   4. What happens to chemical fertilizers and pesticides that the farmers use?
   5. What other sources of possible water pollution exist?
Hot Springs
   6. There are numerous hot springs in southern Idaho. What produces these hot springs?