Lab 11 Water Resources
Lab 11 Water Resources
1. Introduction
Water is a reusable resource that is increasingly becoming rare due to pollution, overuse, and natural
droughts. This is creating conflicts between the users of water. For example, the water of a river could
provide habitat for an endangered fish species, be used to irrigate farm fields, or provide water to a
growing city. As water is an essential resource, potential solutions to these conflicting demands need to be
carefully evaluated.
2. Research
Research one of the following topics:
1. Ogallala Aquifer: Should it be conserved? 2. Colorado River: How could the conflicting demands for the water of the Colorado River be
solved?
3. Everglades should they be restored? 4. Missouri River: Should it be restored? 5. Long distance water transfer: Is this a good approach to deliver water to cities and agriculture in
need of water?
6. Cities running out of water: How could this be prevented? 7. Effects of global warming on water resources in the USA: Can we ignore these effects? 8. Water Quality: Why should we care?
3. Report
Once you have gathered all information, write a 2-page report that has to include the following items:
• Title
• Your name
• Introduction: Describe the situation that led to the question, problem, or situation
• Present advantages of or arguments for a particular solution or answer.
• Present disadvantages of or arguments against a particular solution or answer.
• Conclusion: present your conclusion, justify your conclusion.
Submit also using additional pages:
• Glossary of terms that may be unfamiliar to your classmates
• Annotated list of resources you used (e.g., web sites, books, newspaper articles) and provide a
comment to each resource why you chose it and your assessment how reliable or credible the
resource is.
Formatting instructions:
• Use Times New Roman 12pts
• Use single-line spacing
• Use 1-inch margins
Submit your report as MS word document (*.doc or *.docx) or as a pdf-file (*.pdf) using Canvas.
Water Resources Evaluation Rubrics for Reports
Needs Work (1 pts) Adequate (2 Pts) Excellent (3 pts)
Introduction information lacking or inaccurate
includes accurate information, though lacking in volume or depth
includes accurate and relevant information
Facts/pro and cons information lacking or inaccurate
includes accurate information, though lacking in volume or depth
includes accurate and relevant information
Conclusions inaccurate accurate information, though lacking in volume or depth accurate and all angles covered
glossary information lacking or inaccurate
resources information lacking or inaccurate
Creativity and format
organization and presentation of content unclear and uninteresting; major errors in layout or grammar
organization and presentation of content mostly clear and interesting; minor errors in layout or grammar
organization and presentation of content clear and interesting; no errors in layout or grammar
Total 14 pts possible
