Ch.8 Lesson 5: Life in a Dry Land

What are the two main sources of water called?

• oceans

• lakes and rivers

• groundwater and surface water

• rain

Organize the types of water for each category. There are 4 in each category.

Groups:

(a) groundwater

,

(b) surface water

• oceans - but it is not useful for most human needs

• rainwater and melted snow

• rivers

• lakes

• aquifers

• streams

• wells

• water that is underground

The Hoover Dam created a ​ (a)   which is a lake where water is stored. ​ (b)   is a reservoir created by the Hoover Dam and is crucial to the Southwest's water supply.

• reservoir
• Lake Mead

Which river is especially important and a main supply of water for people in the Southwest and West?

• Colorado River
• Amazon River
• Mississippi River
• Nile River

​ (a)   to escape the heat and ​ (b)   to carry water long distances are ways that people in the Southwest have adapted to life in a hot, dry land.

• Air conditioning
• aqueducts

Look at the chart. What is the largest percentage of water used for?

• Agriculture

• Residential

• Livestock, Commercial, Industry, Mining

• Power

• Evaporation

While most water in the Southwest is used for agriculture and to grow food, why do experts agree that eventually there will be more use for residences or homes?

• less efficient homes

• more people

• less food will be grown in the Southwest

• more will be used for electricity

Why has there been a water shortage in the Southwest? There are two correct answers.

• It is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.

• It experiences drought seasons.

• The Colorado River can lose its strength during the year.

• The high elevation causes water to move slower.

What are ways in which the Southwest is meeting the challenge of the water shortage?

• ordinary citizens are using water more wisely

• farmers started using drip irrigation which uses less water

• using "gray water" or recycled water to water public lands

• all of these are ways to help the water shortage