High School Water Conservation Booklet Name: - Bundaberg ...

Catchments: Down the SlopesA catchment is the land area, the valleys and forests that ‘catch’ therainfall. The rainwater flows into two paths. Some of this water,‘surface run-off’ flows directly into gullies and streams. The rest issoaked into the soil, depending on the porosity, permeability, thicknessand previous moisture content in the soil. Follow this activity todemonstrate water run-off and which land is best suited to being acatchment area.You will need:♦ Tin cans with both ends removed.♦ Water♦ StopwatchAction:♦ Choose several surfaces around the school grounds. Eg: grass, sand, packed earth, soil andbitumen.♦ Press a can into each of the surfaces. (where possible)♦ Pour equal quantities of water into each of the cans.Observe and record:♦ Time and record how long it takes for water to be absorbed - grass.♦ Time and record how long it takes for water to be absorbed - sand.♦ Time and record how long it takes for water to be absorbed - packed earth.♦ Time and record how long it takes for water to be absorbed - soil.♦ Time and record how long it takes for water to be absorbed - bitumen.Type of surface Time Type of surface TimeGrassPacked earthSandSoilBitumenFrom this activity discuss which type / types of surfaces that could be used as acatchment area. Also explain your decision choice.13