In this activity, you will conduct research on watersheds by using the Internet. When your research is complete, you will plan a Watershed Symposium at which you and your classmates will report your findings.

Ready?
Let’s get started!

PART I: Access the website for the Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/surf/. This will bring you right to the “Surf Your Watershed” page.
Click on “Locate Your Watershed.”
Click on “Search by Map” to access the “Select a State” screen.
Click on “LA” (the state of Louisiana on the map).
Click on various parts of the map to access information about places in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin or your local watershed. (HINT: areas north of Baton Rouge and New Orleans must drain towards Lake Pontchartrain. Areas west of the Mississippi River must drain towards the Gulf of Mexico.)
This will bring you to a “Watershed Profile” screen. Gather information you need on the watershed as directed by your teacher. Keep a notebook or note cards with your information well organized. (For additional information, remember to go to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation’s website: http://www.saveourlake.org).
Click the “Back” button to return to the “State Profile” screen. Repeat the process for another section of the watershed.
Compare and contrast all sections of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin or other watershed.

PART II: Beyond the Basin:
Return to the “State Profile” screen and research the Louisiana watershed assigned by your teacher, following the same process used for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.
Click on the “Back” button and return to the “Select a State” screen. Research the watershed of another state assigned by your teacher. Become a real watershed expert by conducting additional research on other watersheds of the world. How can you find that information on the Internet?
Now you’re ready to plan your Watershed Symposium. Good luck and have fun! You’re doing very important work by educating others about the importance and vulnerability of watersheds.
Why not share your work with the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and the EPA? They will be happy to know that you have used the information they provided.