Watersheds In Winter (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

contain a column of snow. Measure the length of the snow column and have the

student record this on their data sheet.

3. Take all the tubes of snow inside and place them, sealed end down, in a bucket of

hot water. The water will help to speed up the melting of the snow.

4. While the snow is melting have students calculate the land area which drains into

the local river or stormwater pond.

5. Calculate the volume of the stormwater pond using its approximated width, length,

and average depth.

6. When the water in the tubes has melted have the student measure the volume of

water produced. Using all the snows depths have the students calculate the average

snow depth. Using the measured volumes have the students calculate the average

ratio of snow depth to volume (i.e. 1 cm of snow results in x mm of water).

7. With average depth of snow and the average ratio the student can calculate the

total volume of water in your “watershed”.

8. Compare this volume to the size of the local stormwater management pond. Is the

pond large enough for all the water? Stormwater engineers use this same procedure to

calculate the volume of meltwater produced each spring and determine the needed

capacity of the pond

9. Complete the chart comparing land uses and the melting of snow.

Debrief

Could a change in land use affect the way snow melts? Would this affect the risk of

flooding within a watershed?

Source: Developed by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Education Services.

Contents of this publication may be photocopied provided the source is acknowledged on every page by

including the following: Peel Water Story, Public Works Department, the Regional Municipality of Peel

Not to be adapted or reprinted without written permission of the Public Works Department of the

Regional Municipality of Peel. Address: 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton, Ontario L6T 4B9

Peel Water Story, Public Works Department, the Regional Municipality of Peel

Watersheds In Winter Page 2