Watersheds- Class1

Exploring Virginia’s Watersheds (NCLC 318) : 

Exploring Virginia’s Watersheds (NCLC 318) “Comprehensive overview of history, geography, economics, and management of water resources in Virginia; and how rapidly growing population has measurably degraded resource. Includes one weekend field trip.”

Who Is the Instructor? : 

Who Is the Instructor? from “old Virginia” 30+ years with the US Department of the Interior (NPS, BLM, FWS...) local rabble-rouser, advocating managed growth Charlie Grymescgrymes@gmu.edu

Slide 4: 

Student Introductions

- identify three issues, or things you care about- how could you apply your “eddification” from this course? : 

- identify three issues, or things you care about- how could you apply your “eddification” from this course? Start Your Voices...

Competencies: Communication : 

Competencies: Communication Communication is the process of creating and sharing meaning through human interaction. A competent communicator will be able to: Speak, read, write and listen effectively. Understand and communicate to diverse audiences and their contexts. Use appropriate language, nonverbal and visual symbols. Organize strategically ideas and information. Design, revise and produce work tailored to diverse audiences.

Slide 7: 

What Stories Should Mabry Mill Tell?

Critical Thinking : 

Critical Thinking Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and critically, using reason and experience to form considered judgments. Someone who is a good critical thinker will be able to: Distinguish among facts, opinions and inferences. Analyze and summarize arguments. Synthesize ideas from multiple sources. Find connections among diverse ideas, facts and experience.

Sources : 

Sources Videoclips: Shipwreck in York River may be from historic siege Shocking catfish by the hundreds News Articles: The rise and gall of bluefish catfish in Virginia rivers

Slide 10: 

See Anything Wrong With This Picture?

Effective Citizenship : 

Effective Citizenship Effective citizenship means the development of an informed understanding of communities and the roles and responsibilities of individuals within those communities. Effective citizens will: Develop the ability to examine contemporary issues and their historical contexts. Recognize the value of multiple perspectives in civic life. Make informed choices regarding personal community involvement, social justice issues and leadership roles. Make an effort to be informed and educated on issues affecting their communities.

Slide 12: 

Should We Trust the Experts and Let Them Decide How to Supply More Water?

At the End of This Course, You Should Be Able To: : 

At the End of This Course, You Should Be Able To: identify key issues regarding conservation, economic development, tourism, drinking water, and pollution of water in Virginia articulate a personal opinion, supported by specific examples, regarding the best way to solve those key issues describe the major threats to the health of the Chesapeake Bay, the key strategies for addressing those threats, and the relative benefits/costs of different solutions proposed to “Save the Bay”

Slide 14: 

recognize watershed boundaries, the location of major lakes and rivers in Virginia, and edge of state responsibility in the Atlantic Ocean define property rights regarding Virginia water and rivers, including navigability and the riparian doctrine

Slide 15: 

describe how wastewater treatment plants and septic systems work, and what pollution they do not control - discuss how development is now limited/not limited in wetlands, on barrier islands, in floodplains, and along riparian zones, and the controversies involving those limits

Slide 16: 

explain how water-based transportation shaped the development of Alexandria, Occoquan, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Norfolk define what organizations/agencies are most involved in various resource management decision affecting Virginia waters

Slide 17: 

describe how water-based recreation shaped the development of Virginia Beach... and some mountain resorts - quickly access multiple resources that will be useful for future reference in discussing water management issues in Virginia

Slide 18: 

locate the areas where flooding is the greatest risk in Virginia, and how those flood risks are mitigated list options for controlling stormwater runoff from any particular site in Virginia, and describe the advantages/ disadvantages of those options

Class Schedule, Field Trip Logistics : 

Class Schedule, Field Trip Logistics

Slide 20: 

Grades (1,000 points total)

When It Rains At the Fairfax Campus...Where Does the Water Go? : 

When It Rains At the Fairfax Campus...Where Does the Water Go?

Watershed Divide at GMU : 

Watershed Divide at GMU

Slide 23: 

What Is Your Watershed Address?

Slide 25: 

How (and Why...) We Created “Hydrologic Unit Codes”

Slide 26: 

12-Digit Watershed Boundary Dataset

Major Rivers : 

Major Rivers

Slide 28: 

How (and Why...) We Created “Reach Codes” “a continuous piece of surface water with similar hydrologic characteristics, such as a stretch of stream between two confluences or a lake” (creating a connected network)

Slide 30: 

Stormwater Pond(Prince William County)

Slide 31: 

Little Stony Creek(Giles County)

Slide 32: 

Cascades (Little Stony Creek, Giles County)

Changes Over Time : 

Changes Over Time

What Do You Think? : 

What Do You Think?