Build a model water catchment

A water catchment area is land that is bounded by natural features such as hills or mountains, from which all surface water, run-off water and groundwater flows to the lowest point in the landscape.

In this activity, students use everyday materials to simulate water flows in a catchment. It provides practice with the science capability ‘Interpret representations’.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

• discuss the role of relief (mountains, hills, valleys and flat areas) in water flow

• observe and compare slope steepness and velocity of water flow

• observe and discuss the role of tributaries to larger streams and rivers

• observe and discuss the connections between surface water systems (streams, rivers, wetlands and lakes)

• compare their model catchment with their local water catchment area

• discuss the similarities and differences between a model catchment and a real catchment area

• discuss why scientists use models.

Download the Word file (see link below).