Modeling the Ogallala Aquifer on the Texas High Plains

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Background Information

Other Studies and models on the Ogallala Aquifer

 Briefly present background materials and groundwater basics on the value of groundwater.  Some of this background material may have been covered in previous instructional material.  Other information can be obtained from links.

Background materials need to include the following information for presentation to students (which can be found at the Ground Water Page developed by the USGS) .   Other information can also be found at Groundwater Basics.  Dissemination of this information can be handled in different ways:
 
Water Background

1. Draw and label a water molecule.
2. Why is water called the universal solvent?
3. Why is water unique?
4. What is the freezing and boiling point of water in degrees Celsius?
5. Describe the high specific heat index of water.
6. Describe the high surface tension of water.
7. What is the weight of water per gallon?
8. What is the density of water at 39.2 ^o F?  What is the density of water at 212^o F?

Ground Water

1. List and describe the two reasons that there is ground water.
2. List and describe the three types of wells.
3. Describe what happens to water levels in wells.
4. How do contaminants get into the water table?
5. How do water-level declines affect the environment for plants and animals?
6. Describe how water gets into the ground water? 
7. How do people use ground water and what percentage of water is used for various reasons?
8. How can we run out of ground water?
9. What can cause water levels in wells to change?
10. If the ground filters water, is ground water always clean?

USGS Data

1. What does USGS stand for?
2. Describe the kinds of water data that the US Geological Survey gathers.
3. Is measuring water in a well like measuring a stream?  Describe how it is done?
4. What information is available for the public?

Utilize various sources --  to allow students to develop some general ideas on specific problems associated with the Ogallala Aquifer.  From the readings and note taking have students do the following:

1.  List and describe AT LEAST five problems that this paper suggests about our aquifer.  After each of the problem statements, write a hypothesis  (IF….THEN). 

 2.How can we test the problems that this paper suggests?  CAN or SHOULD we accept this as truth IF we don’t try to test? 

This task can be accomplished in several different ways as follows:

• Independently as a written persuasive paper

• Groups as debates  

Group discussions can follow with discussions on the following:
1.      Do you, someone in your family, or someone you know have a water well for drinking or irrigation ?